October

The word “October” means the tenth month of the year, between September and November, associated in the northern hemisphere with autumn and falling leaves. In plain terms, the tenth month of the year.

“October” is pronounced ok-TOH-buh (/ɑkˈtoʊ.bəɹ/ in IPA).

Here is “October” used in a sentence: “The clocks go back in late October.”

“October” is a name.

The word “October” comes from Latin. From Latin octo, "eight" — October was originally the eighth month in the old Roman calendar, before January and February were added to the front.

“October” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

The name is a leftover from the ancient Roman calendar, which began the year in March. October was then the eighth month, and 'octo' is Latin for eight. When January and February were later added at the start of the year, October shifted to tenth place but kept its original name.

In the Northern Hemisphere, October falls in autumn, bringing cooler weather, shorter days, and falling leaves. In the Southern Hemisphere the seasons are reversed, so October is a spring month there. Either way it sits at the heart of a seasonal change, moving toward winter in the north and summer in the south.

The best-known is Halloween on 31 October, celebrated widely with costumes and pumpkins. Canada holds its Thanksgiving in October, and many countries mark harvest festivals. Other observances include Oktoberfest, which mostly runs from late September into October, plus various national and cultural days depending on the country.

October covers two signs of the zodiac. Those born from the start of the month until roughly 22 October are Libra, symbolised by the scales. From about 23 October onward, birthdays fall under Scorpio, the scorpion. The exact cut-off shifts by a day depending on the year.