Halloween
3 synonyms and 0 antonyms for Halloween, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — October 31st, a holiday marked by costumes, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use Halloween
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
A shortened Scots form of "All Hallows' Even," the evening before All Saints' Day.
Full origin of Halloween →Frequently asked questions
What does “Halloween” mean?
The word “Halloween” means october 31st, a holiday marked by costumes, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating. In plain terms, the spooky holiday on October 31st with costumes and candy.
How do you pronounce “Halloween”?
“Halloween” is pronounced ha-luh-WEEN (/ˌhæ.ləˈwiːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “Halloween” in a sentence?
Here is “Halloween” used in a sentence: “The kids picked out their Halloween costumes weeks in advance.”
What part of speech is “Halloween”?
“Halloween” is a noun.
Is “Halloween” a common word?
“Halloween” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Why is Halloween on October 31st?
Halloween falls on October 31st each year, the day associated with costumes, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating. It sits the night before November 1st, and the name itself comes from "All Hallows' Eve."
Should "Halloween" be capitalised?
Yes. As the name of a specific holiday, Halloween is a proper noun and should always be written with a capital H, just like Christmas or Easter.
What is the difference between Halloween and trick-or-treating?
Halloween is the holiday itself, celebrated on October 31st, while trick-or-treating is one activity done during it. On Halloween, costumed children go door to door asking for sweets, which is what trick-or-treating means.
What are the most common Halloween traditions?
The activities most closely tied to Halloween are wearing costumes, carving pumpkins into lanterns, and trick-or-treating for sweets. These customs define the holiday's playful, spooky character.