Halloween

noun

Hal·​low·​een ˌha-lə-ˈwēn  ˌhä- 

variants or less commonly Hallowe'en

: October 31 observed especially with dressing up in disguise, trick-or-treating, and displaying jack-o'-lanterns during the evening

Examples of Halloween in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The company touts employee benefits including competitive salaries, flexible scheduling and a 30% discount on Spirit Halloween purchases. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 26 June 2025

Universal Orlando has announced another original haunted house concept for the 2025 edition of Halloween Horror Nights. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 June 2025

Have your parents check your Halloween candy to be sure one of your neighbors hasn’t hidden a razor blade inside. —Maris Kreizman, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2025

Plus, this pick has features like facial recognition, night vision, and even seasonal chimes, like spirited Halloween effects and Christmas carols. —Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

short for All Hallow Even (All Saints' Eve)

First Known Use

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Halloween

• acrolein
• adenine
• alkylene
• aniline
• anthracene
• aquiline
• asphaltene
• atlantean
• atrazine
• butadiene
• butylene
• caesarean

Kids Definition

Halloween

noun

Hal·​low·​een ˌhal-ə-ˈwēn  ˌhäl- 

: October 31 celebrated especially by wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, and displaying jack-o'-lanterns

Etymology

an altered form of All Hallow Even, the eve of All Saints' Day

Word Origin

Modern-day Christians know the first of November as All Saints' Day. In the Middle Ages it was called All Hallow Day. This was a hallowed or holy day celebrated in honor of all the saints in heaven. Since November 1 was a special holy day with a special name, the day before it had a special name as well. October 31 was called All Hallow Eve or All Hallow Even. The words eve and even were used both for the evening and the day before a special day. This name was sometimes written All Hallow E'en and later shortened to Halloween.