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

While Halloween is a spooky day in its own right, many people also feel uneasy and unlucky on Friday the 13th. —Gabe Hauari, The Courier-Journal, 13 Sep. 2024

Actor Jamie Lee Curtis — who, fittingly, starred in the 1978 horror movie Halloween — has been patronizing Ursula’s Costumes for decades. —Christopher Intagliata, NPR, 13 Sep. 2024

Spooky bar:The first Halloween pop-up bar in Phoenix offers spooky '80's nostalgia. —Gabe Hauari, The Arizona Republic, 13 Sep. 2024

In the meantime, fans in the Los Angeles area can experience The Weeknd’s music and creative vision at The Weeknd: Nightmare Trilogy haunted house at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, open now through Nov. 3. —Chris Malone Mendez, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

short for All Hallow Even (All Saints' Eve)

First Known Use

circa 1700, in the meaning defined above

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.