halloween
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˌæləʊˈiːn/
US
- /ˌhæləˈwin/
Description
- Spooky holiday
- Costumes
- Trick-or-treating
Halloween, celebrated each year on October 31, is a holiday full of history and spooky fun. It began in old Celtic traditions connected to the end of harvest time and the belief that the spirits of the dead could return. Today, it is mostly known as a night for wearing costumes, carving pumpkins, and going door to door for candy with the call, "trick or treat!" It is a time when ghosts, goblins, witches, and all kinds of creatures seem to come alive in stories and decorations.
The word "Halloween" comes from "All Hallows' Eve," the night before All Saints' Day. Some people see it as a playful community celebration, while others enjoy its darker side through haunted houses and scary stories. You might celebrate Halloween by going to a costume party or simply enjoying the festive feeling in your neighborhood.
Halloween is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31, known for costumes, trick-or-treating, jack-o'-lanterns, and a general love of spooky themes. But its roots are much older than candy and scary masks. The history of Halloween is often linked to the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in), which marked the end of harvest time and the beginning of winter. People believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead became thin. Bonfires were lit, and disguises were worn as part of the tradition.
Over time, with the influence of Christian tradition, the date became connected with All Hallows' Eve, the evening before All Saints' Day on November 1. The name "Halloween" comes from "All Hallows' Evening." Immigrants, especially from Ireland and Scotland, brought many of these customs to North America in the 19th century.
Today, Halloween is mostly a secular holiday focused on community fun. Children dress up in costumes and go door to door asking for treats by saying "trick or treat," while adults may host parties or decorate their homes with spooky displays. Jack-o'-lanterns, carved pumpkins lit from within, are one of its best-known symbols; earlier versions were often made from turnips.
You can experience Halloween in many ways: visiting haunted houses, telling ghost stories around a campfire, watching scary movies, or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere and creativity on display. It is a night when imagination runs wild and a little bit of fear is part of the fun, blending old tradition with modern celebration.
Examples
- 1
Costume
My daughter wants to be a pirate for Halloween.
- 2
Decorations
We put up Halloween decorations in the front window.
- 3
Party
The neighbors are having a Halloween party this weekend.
- 4
Trick-or-treating
I'm taking the kids trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Phrase
go trick-or-treating
go from house to house asking for candy
- 5
Candy shops
Halloween is one of the busiest nights of the year for candy shops.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- halloweennoun