Halloween falls on 31 October, and it’s worth knowing its English: you’ll hear it at parties, in films and in messages from friends. Here are the key words and ready-made greetings.
Halloween words in English
Halloween is celebrated most in the United States and Canada, and many families also mark it in Britain and Ireland. Children dress up in costumes and go from door to door saying trick or treat, and neighbors give them candy. At home, people carve a pumpkin with a scary face and put a candle inside it.
- Halloweenthe holiday on 31 October; always with a capital H
- a pumpkinthe big orange fruit used for carving
- a jack-o’-lanterna carved pumpkin with a candle inside
- a costumeclothes for a character; you can also say “wear a costume”
- a witcha woman with magic powers, often in a black hat
- a ghostthe spirit of a dead person, often shown as a white figure
- candysweets; “candy” is the usual American word (British English says sweets)
- trick or treatwhat children say at the door; “to go trick-or-treating” means going door to door
Other spooky words: spooky (eerie, a bit frightening), scary (frightening), creepy (strange and unpleasant) and a haunted house (a house where ghosts are said to live). A vampire is also a popular costume. For more words about sweets, read “Do you have anything sweet?”.
Halloween greetings
Friends usually get a short, cheerful message. For a colleague or a card, you can be a little warmer:
- Happy Halloween!The shortest and most common greeting; it works for almost anyone.
- Have a spooky Halloween!Playful; good for friends.
- Have a fun and safe Halloween!A friendly wish; often used for kids and families.
- Happy Halloween to you and your family!Warmer; good for a card or a colleague.
- Enjoy the party — and don’t eat all the candy!A joke for a friend who is going to a party.
Say Happy Halloween, not Happy Halloween Day, which sounds unnatural. Also, don’t put “the” before the word: we say on Halloween, and Halloween is on 31 October.
Check yourself
Say it in English, then reveal the answer:
1.Tell someone that Halloween is on 31 October.
Answer
Halloween is on 31 October.
2.Tell a friend that you will dress up as a witch.
Answer
I’ll be a witch.
3.Children ask for sweets at the door.
Answer
Trick or treat!
4.Wish your friend a happy Halloween.
Answer
Happy Halloween, my friend!
Have a happy Halloween! If you want to speak English with confidence, not just know the words, book a free trial lesson at Slay School.
