Halloween

or Hal·low·e'en

[ hal-uh-ween, -oh-een, hol- ]

noun
  1. the evening of October 31; the eve of All Saints' Day; Allhallows Eve: observed especially by children in costumes who solicit treats, often by threatening minor pranks.

Origin of Halloween

1
First recorded in 1550–60; (All)hallow(s) + e(v)en2

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use Halloween in a sentence

  • It was a Hallowe'en she could never forget, since its unhappiness was both burned and dyed into her memory.

    Mildred's Inheritance | Annie Fellows Johnston
  • Everything had some reference to Hallowe'en or to Harvest Home, and the children were not too young to appreciate this.

    Marjorie's Busy Days | Carolyn Wells
  • For a Hallowe'en party is provocative of much merriment, and the most nonsensical speeches were applauded.

    Marjorie's Busy Days | Carolyn Wells
  • Little time is there to lose, for to-night is Hallowe'en, and this same night must the deed be done.

    Stories from the Ballads | Mary MacGregor
  • Hallowe'en Jelly—Soften one ounce of gelatine in half a pint of cold water.

    Suppers | Paul Pierce

British Dictionary definitions for Halloween

Halloween

Hallowe'en

/ (ˌhæləʊˈiːn) /


noun
  1. the eve of All Saints' Day celebrated on Oct 31 by masquerading; Allhallows Eve

Origin of Halloween

1
C18: see Allhallows, even ²

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012