October
ok-TOH-buh
October (name) means the tenth month of the year, between September and November, associated in the northern hemisphere with autumn and falling leaves. Example: “The clocks go back in late October.”
name
1
The tenth month of the year, between September and November, associated in the northern hemisphere with autumn and falling leaves.
"The clocks go back in late October."
"They got married on a crisp October afternoon."
"By October it was advancing steadily toward Pangwa, encountering meager resistance."
— Timothy McLaughlin (2025)
How to use October
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe tenth month of the year.
Common mistake
The "eight" in its Latin root no longer matches its position in the calendar — a leftover from when the Roman year began in March.
Common pairings
in October
an October morning
early October
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like October.
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
- Octobers
- Third person singular
- Octobers
- Past tense
- Octobered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The clocks go back in late _____.
Etymology
From Latin octo, "eight" — October was originally the eighth month in the old Roman calendar, before January and February were added to the front.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for October
See all rhymes for October →Frequently asked questions
What does “October” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “October”?
“October” is pronounced ok-TOH-buh (/ɑkˈtoʊ.bəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “October” in a sentence?
Here is “October” used in a sentence: “The clocks go back in late October.”
What part of speech is “October”?
“October” is a name.
Where does the word “October” come from?
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.
Is “October” a common word?
“October” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
Why is October called the tenth month when 'octo' means eight?
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.
What season is October?
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.
What holidays happen in October?
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.
What are the zodiac signs for October?
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.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include October:
