Día de los Muertos

noun

Día de los Muer·​tos ˌdē-ä-dā-lōs-ˈmwer-tōs 

variants or Dia de los Muertos

: day of the dead

… Día de los Muertos is all about remembrance and joy—and the belief that spirits return to visit the living during this time.

—Tiffany Acosta

Examples of Día de los Muertos in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their musky scent repels pests, while their golden blooms—symbols of remembrance during Dia de los Muertos—honor Mexican heritage. — Teresa Woodard, Midwest Living, 15 May 2026

Every year on Dia de los Muertos, it's decorated with traditional candles, colorful flowers, and paper streamers to honor the dead. — Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, "Day of the Dead"

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above