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

Ghosts will return with a mid-season premiere expected in 2027, though the series will get two holiday specials for Halloween and Christmas to tide fans over. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 25 June 2026

There was a kid in a Spider-Man tee Another grabbed a pumpkin shirt, even though Halloween is four months away. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 June 2026

The craft store has officially unveiled its six new Halloween collections for 2026, and this year, the brand is releasing more Halloween decor than ever before. — Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026

The New Heights podcast celebrated Halloween 2025 with a few throwbacks of the Kelce brothers in costume. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

short for All Hallow Even (All Saints' Eve)

First Known Use

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Halloween

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

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.