noun
Common
Halloween
ha-luh-WEEN
Halloween (noun) means October 31st, a holiday marked by costumes, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating. Example: “The kids picked out their Halloween costumes weeks in advance.”
noun
1
October 31st, a holiday marked by costumes, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating.
"The kids picked out their Halloween costumes weeks in advance."
"Every Halloween, the neighbors decorate their porch with fake cobwebs."
How to use Halloween
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe spooky holiday on October 31st with costumes and candy.
Common pairings
Halloween costume
trick-or-treat on Halloween
Halloween party
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like Halloween.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- Halloweens
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kids picked out their _____ costumes weeks in advance.
Etymology
A shortened Scots form of "All Hallows' Even," the evening before All Saints' Day.
Synonyms
View more →
all hallows' eve
hallowe'en
all saints' eve
Rhymes for Halloween
See all rhymes for 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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include Halloween:
