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

During Halloween, earning $1000 in a single month with some basic sewing skills is real. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

It was followed by block parties on Halloween, and during the city’s annual lights displays in December, and then by a St. Patrick’s Day event. —Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 14 Apr. 2025

Christmas now begins the day after Halloween (poor Thanksgiving), and the commencement of pastels, bunnies, and Easter eggs seemed to arrive, if not in tandem, then shortly after the explosion of Valentine’s treats hit store shelves. —Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2025

In 2021, Barrymore took her daughters trick-or-treating for Halloween with Kopelman and his current wife, Alexandra Michler Kopelman. —Kayla Grant, People.com, 11 Apr. 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.