25 Must-Know Halloween Words for a Spooky Season
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Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s time to brush up on your spooky vocabulary with some special Halloween words!
Whether you’re a language learner, a parent teaching kids, or just someone looking to get into the Halloween spirit, mastering these words will make your celebrations all the more bewitching.
This article is for English learners of all levels, English teachers, and fanatics of other languages!
In this article, we’ll check out over 100 Halloween words and phrases, starting from easy foundational words to advanced vocabulary in English.
We’ll also look at spooky terms, creepy expressions, and even Halloween vocabulary from around the world.
Then, we’ll look at some fun games and ways to learn and practice Halloween words!
By the end, you’ll be ready to cast a spell with your words and impress everyone at your next Halloween party. So, grab your broomstick, and let’s kick off!
Table of contents
Essential Halloween Words and Phrases for Beginners
Let’s first learn the most important Halloween terms and phrases. These are the words you’ll hear and use most often during the Halloween season.
Top 25 Must-Know Halloween Terms:
First, here are some essential Halloween words for the season!
| Word | Meaning | IPA | Audio |
| Halloween | The holiday celebrated on October 31st | /ˌhæləˈwiːn/ | |
| Trick-or-treat | The traditional Halloween activity for children, who go door to door asking for candy | /ˌtrɪk ər ˈtriːt/ | |
| Jack-o'-lantern | A carved pumpkin with a candle inside | /ˌdʒæk ə ˈlæntərn/ | |
| Costume | Fun clothes or a disguise worn for Halloween | /ˈkɑːstuːm/ | |
| Ghost | A spirit of the dead | /ɡoʊst/ | |
| Witch | A woman with magical powers | /wɪtʃ/ | |
| Vampire | A person that drinks blood and can change into a bat | /ˈvæmpaɪər/ | |
| Werewolf | A person who changes into a wolf monster | /ˈwɛrwʊlf/ | |
| Zombie | A dead person who comes up from the grave | /ˈzɑːmbi/ | |
| Skeleton | The bones of a body | /ˈskɛlɪtn/ | |
| Candy | Sweet treats given out on Halloween | /ˈkændi/ | |
| Haunted house | A scary place where ghosts live | /ˈhɔːntɪd haʊs/ | |
| Pumpkin | The orange vegetable often carved for Halloween | /ˈpʌmpkɪn/ | |
| Bat | A flying mammal connected with vampires | /bæt/ | |
| Spider web | The silky home made by spiders | /ˈspaɪdər wɛb/ | |
| Cauldron | A large pot used by witches in stories | /ˈkɔːldrən/ | |
| Broomstick | A broom that a witch uses to fly | /ˈbruːmstɪk/ | |
| Mummy | A preserved dead body wrapped in bandages | /ˈmʌmi/ | |
| Goblin | A mischievous, ugly creature | /ˈɡɑːblɪn/ | |
| Fangs | Long, sharp teeth | /fæŋz/ | |
| Spooky | Scary | /ˈspuːki/ | |
| Creepy | Causing fear or discomfort | /ˈkriːpi/ | |
| Boo | A sudden sound made to scare someone | /buː/ | |
| Ghoul | An evil spirit | /ɡuːl/ | |
| Eerie | Strange and frightening | /ˈɪrieo |
Common Halloween Greetings and Phrases:
Now, during the Halloween season, you might hear special Halloween greetings and phrases. These are especially popular in things like greeting cards. Here are ten of the most common or creative ones:
| Greeting | IPA | Audio |
| Happy Halloween! | /ˌhæpi ˌhæləˈwiːn/ | |
| Trick or treat! | /ˌtrɪk ər ˈtriːt/ | |
| Boo! | /buː/ | |
| Eat, drink, and be scary! | /iːt drɪŋk ænd bi ˈskɛri/ | |
| Have a fang-tastic night! | /hæv ə ˈfæŋtæstɪk naɪt/ | |
| Wishing you a spooktacular Halloween! | /ˈwɪʃɪŋ ju ə ˌspuːkˈtækjələr ˌhæləˈwiːn/ | |
| Beware of things that go bump in the night! | /bɪˈwɛr əv θɪŋz ðæt ɡoʊ bʌmp ɪn ðə naɪt/ | |
| Enter at your own risk! | /ˈɛntər æt jʊr oʊn rɪsk/ | |
| Witching you a happy Halloween! | /ˈwɪtʃɪŋ ju ə ˌhæpi ˌhæləˈwiːn/ | |
| Have a howling good time! | /hæv ə ˈhaʊlɪŋ ɡʊd taɪm/ |
Learn these words and phrases, and they’ll help you understand and participate in Halloween conversations, decorations, and activities.
In our next section, we’ll expand your vocabulary even further with an A to Z list of even more Halloween words.
Halloween Words from A to Z
Expand your Halloween vocabulary with this comprehensive A to Z list of spooky terms. This will be especially useful for intermediate learners. This section will make you a true Halloween wordsmith.
A
- Apparition – A ghost or ghostlike image
- Autumn – The season of Halloween, used in the UK, in contrast to the American word “fall.”
B
- Bat – A nocturnal flying mammal
- Bone – Part of a skeleton
- Broomstick – A witch’s flying device
C
- Cauldron – A large pot for brewing potions
- Cobweb – A spider’s web, often found in haunted houses
- Costume – A disguise worn for Halloween
D
- Demon – An evil spirit
- Dracula – A famous vampire character
E
- Eerie – Strange and frightening
- Enchant – To put under a spell
F
- Fangs – Sharp, pointed teeth
- Frankenstein – A famous literary monster created from body parts
G
- Ghost – A spirit of the dead
- Goblin – A mischievous, ugly creature
- Graveyard – A burial ground
H
- Haunted – Inhabited by ghosts
- Howl – A long, mournful cry
I
- Incantation – A magical spell or chant
J
- Jack-o’-lantern – A carved pumpkin with a light inside
L
- Lantern – A portable light, often used in Halloween decorations
- Lurk – To wait in hiding, often with evil intent
M
- Mask – A covering for the face
- Mummy – A preserved, bandaged corpse
- Macabre – Disturbing because of involvement with death
N
- Nightmare – A frightening dream
- Nocturnal – Active at night
O
- Occult – Supernatural or magical
- Ominous – Suggesting evil or harm is coming
P
- Phantom – A ghost or apparition
- Potion – A magical liquid with special powers
- Pumpkin – The iconic orange Halloween vegetable
Q
- Quiver – To shake or tremble, often with fear
R
- Raven – A large black bird, similar to a crow, associated with mystery
- Revenant – A person who returns from the dead
S
- Skeleton – The bones of a body
- Specter – A ghost or phantom
- Spell – A magical saying
T
- Tombstone – A stone marking a grave
- Trick-or-treat – The Halloween custom of children asking for candy
U
- Undead – Technically dead but still animate
- Unearthly – Mysterious and frightening
V
- Vampire – A mythical blood-sucking creature
- Voodoo – A type of magic based on African rituals
W
- Werewolf – A person who transforms into a wolf
- Witch – A person believed to have magical powers
X
- Xenomorphobia – Fear of strange or foreign things (like monsters!)
Y
- Yowl – A loud, wailing cry
Z
- Zombie – An undead creature that feeds on human flesh
This A to Z list covers a wide range of Halloween-related words, with a mix of common and maybe less-familiar words.
In our next section, we’ll move on into even creepier territory with a list of particularly advanced Halloween words. Get ready to send shivers down your spine!
Creepy and Spooky Halloween Words
This section of Halloween vocabulary is for advanced learners or even native English speakers! These terms are perfect for setting a spooky atmosphere, writing scary stories, or maybe just impressing your friends with your ghoulish lexicon.
- Bloodcurdling – Extremely frightening; causing terror
Usage: “The bloodcurdling scream echoed through the haunted house.” - Cadaverous – Resembling a corpse; pale and gaunt
Usage: “The vampire’s cadaverous appearance sent chills down her spine.” - Diabolical – Characteristic of the devil; extremely wicked
Usage: “The witch’s diabolical laugh filled the air as she stirred her potion.” - Eldritch – Strange and frightening; otherworldly
Usage: “An eldritch glow emanated from the abandoned graveyard.” - Ghastly – Causing great horror or fear; shockingly frightful
Usage: “The ghastly sight of the zombie horde approaching left them paralyzed with fear.” - Macabre – Disturbing due to its connection with death or injury
Usage: “The macabre decorations in the haunted house included fake severed limbs.” - Malevolent – Having or showing a wish to do evil to others
Usage: “The malevolent spirit haunted the old mansion, terrorizing its inhabitants.” - Nefarious – Wicked, villainous, or criminal
Usage: “The mad scientist’s nefarious plan involved creating an army of monsters.” - Ominous – Giving the worrying impression that something bad is going to happen
Usage: “Dark, ominous clouds gathered as they approached the haunted forest.” - Phantasmagorical – Having a fantastic or deceptive appearance
Usage: “The Halloween party was a phantasmagorical spectacle of costumes and decorations.” - Sinister – Giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening
Usage: “A sinister shadow crept along the wall, growing larger with each passing moment.” - Supernatural – Attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature
Usage: “The old house was known for supernatural occurrences, like objects moving on their own.” - Terrifying – Extremely frightening; causing intense fear
Usage: “The terrifying howl of the werewolf sent everyone running for safety.” - Unearthly – Mysterious and frightening; seeming to come from another world
Usage: “An unearthly mist rolled in, obscuring the path through the cemetery.” - Wicked – Evil or morally wrong
Usage: “The wicked witch cackled as she cast her spell on the unsuspecting villagers.”
Use these words to add a special flair to your creative writing or Halloween storytelling!
In our next section, we’ll explore Halloween traditions from around the world and add a global perspective. Get ready to discover how different cultures celebrate this haunting holiday!
Halloween-Like Traditions from Around the World
While Halloween as we know it originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain, many cultures around the world have their own unique traditions and celebrations that share similar themes. Let’s check out some of these global Halloween-like festivities and the special words associated with them.
Mexico – Día de los Muertos
The colorful celebration of Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, honors deceased loved ones. Families often create elaborate ofrendas (altars) in their homes, adorned with photos of their passed loved ones, their favorite foods, and vibrant marigolds to guide the spirits back. It takes place from October 31 to November 2.
Key words:
- Calaveras – Decorative skull representations
- Ofrenda – An altar with offerings for the dead
- Papel picado – Decorative paper cutouts
- Cempasúchil – Marigold flowers used in decorations
Ireland – Samhain
The Celtic origin of Halloween is Samhain and is celebrated on October 31. Traditionally, people would carve turnips (not pumpkins) into lanterns to ward off evil spirits and leave offerings of food and drink for the fairies and souls of the dead. But when the holiday was brought to the US and eventually turned into Halloween, they replaced radishes with the indigenous vegetable, the pumpkin.
Key words:
- Barmbrack – A fruity bread with hidden objects inside
- Púca – A shape-shifting creature in Irish folklore
- Banshee – A female spirit whose wail predicts death
China – 中元 (Zhōngyuán) Festival
The Zhōngyuán Festival is a traditional Buddhist and Taoist festival and is also known as the Ghost Festival. It is held on the 15th night of the seventh lunar month. It’s common for people to prepare elaborate feasts and leave empty seats at the table for the spirits of their ancestors to join in the meal.
Key words:
- 饿鬼 (è guǐ) – “Hungry Ghost”; Spirits of the deceased who visit the living
- 冥钱 (míng qián) – Paper items burned as offerings to the dead
- 鬼戏 (guǐ xì) – “Ghost opera” or theatrical performances for both the living and the dead
Japan – お盆 (Obon) Festival
Obon is a Buddhist event honoring ancestral spirits, usually held in August. It was heavily influenced by the Ghost Festival. During Obon, Japanese people participate in Bon Odori, traditional folk dances performed in yukata (summer kimono) around a wooden scaffold. Another key aspect of the festival is visiting and cleaning ancestors’ graves, often bringing flowers and incense as offerings, to show respect and maintain a connection with their departed loved ones. Some people hang lanterns or light fires to guide the spirits of their ancestors back to the world of the living.
Key words:
- 提灯 (Chōchin) – Lanterns to guide spirits (If you’re a Pokemon fan, you might see the familiarity with this concept and the Ghost-type Pokemon Chinchou!)
- 盆踊り(Bon Odori) – Traditional dances performed during the festival
- 迎え火 (Mukaebi) – “Welcoming fire” lit to guide spirits home
Germany – Walpurgisnacht
Walpurgisnacht is a spring festival celebrated on April 30, with themes similar to Halloween. It is often celebrated with bonfires, which are believed to ward off evil spirits and witches. In some areas, particularly in the Harz Mountains, people dress up as witches and devils, parading through towns and villages in a festive celebration of spring’s triumph over winter.
Key words:
- Hexe – Witch
- Blocksberg – Legendary gathering place for witches
- Maibaum – Maypole, often erected as part of the celebrations
Philippines – Pangangaluluwa
Pangangaluluwa is a tradition similar to trick-or-treating, practiced on All Saints’ Day (November 1). Families often spend the night at cemeteries, cleaning and decorating the graves of their loved ones, and sharing food and memories in a festive atmosphere that combines solemnity with celebration.
Key words:
- Atang – Offerings left for the dead
- Kalag-Kalag – The Filipino observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day
- Pangangaluwa – The act of going house-to-house, singing for alms
Clearly, global traditions honor the dead and celebrate the supernatural in different ways! They share common themes of remembrance, respect for the deceased, and acknowledgment of the spirit world.
But we know Halloween has expanded internationally, too. Next, we’ll explore how Halloween specifically is expressed in various languages around the world!
Halloween Words in Other Languages
Halloween has spread to many parts of the world, with each culture adopting and adapting the celebration in their own unique ways. Let’s explore how Halloween is expressed in different languages and some key Halloween-related words in these languages.
Spanish
- Halloween – Noche de Brujas (“Witches’ Night”) or Víspera de Todos los Santos (“All Saints’ Eve”)
- Trick or treat – Truco o trato
- Pumpkin – Calabaza
- Ghost – Fantasma
- Witch – Bruja
French
- Halloween – Halloween (adopted from English – just say it in a French accent)
- Trick or treat – Des bonbons ou un sort (“Candies or a spell”)
• Pumpkin – Citrouille
• Ghost – Fantôme
• Witch – Sorcière
German
- Halloween – Halloween (like the above, adopted from English)
- Trick or treat – Süßes oder Saures (“Sweet or sour”)
- Pumpkin – *Kürbis&
- Ghost – Geist
- Witch – Hexe
Italian
- Halloween – La Notte di Halloween (“Halloween Night”)
- Trick or treat – Dolcetto o scherzetto (“Treat or prank”)
- Pumpkin – Zucca
- Ghost – Fantasma
- Witch – Strega
Japanese
- Halloween – ハロウィーン (Harouīn)
- Trick or treat – お菓子をくれないといたずらするぞ (Okashi wo kurenai to itazura suru zo – Literally, “If you don’t give me a treat, I’ll prank you!”)
- Pumpkin – カボチャ (Kabocha)
- Ghost – お化け (Obake) (By the way, here’s how to talk about ghosts in Japanese!)
- Witch – 魔女 (Majo)
Chinese (Mandarin)
- Halloween – 萬聖節” (Wànshèngjié)
- Trick or treat – 不給糖就搗蛋 (Bù gěi táng jiù dǎo dàn – Literally, “If you do not give candy, I’ll make trouble.”)
- Pumpkin – 南瓜 (Nánguā)
- Ghost – 鬼 (Guǐ)
- Witch – 女巫 (Nǚwū)
Russian
- Halloween – Хэллоуин (Khellouin)
- Trick or treat – Кошелек или жизнь (Koshelek ili zhizn – “Purse or life”)
- Pumpkin – Тыква (Tykva)
- Ghost – Призрак (Prizrak)
- Witch – Ведьма (Ved’ma)
Just like Christmas abroad, it’s fascinating to see how different languages and cultures express Halloween concepts. We can see that some languages have adopted the English word “Halloween,” while others have their own unique terms. I think the phrase “trick or treat” is particularly interesting, since many languages have created their own versions of this Halloween tradition.
Fun Activities to Learn Halloween Words
Learning new vocabulary doesn’t have to be a chore, especially when it comes to fun and spooky Halloween words. If you’re a teacher of any language and are wanting to use some fun activities (or use them with your friends), this section is for you! Here are some engaging activities to help reinforce Halloween vocabulary while getting into the spirit of the season.
Halloween Word Bingo
Create bingo cards with Halloween words instead of numbers. As you call out definitions or descriptions, players mark off the corresponding words on their cards. This game is great for visual learners and helps associate words with their meanings.
Spooky Story Chain
Sit in a circle and start a Halloween story. Each person adds a sentence, but they must include at least one Halloween word from the vocabulary list. This improves both vocabulary and creative storytelling skills.
Halloween Charades
Act out Halloween words without speaking. This game is particularly fun with action words like “lurk,” “haunt,” or “brew,” and helps connect words with physical actions for better memory retention.
Crossword Puzzles and Word Searches
Create or find Halloween-themed crossword puzzles and word searches. These classic word games are excellent for reinforcing spelling and word recognition.
Halloween Vocabulary Scavenger Hunt
Hide Halloween-related objects or pictures around your home or classroom. Provide a list of vocabulary words, and have participants find the object that matches each word. This activity connects words with visual representations.
Costume Description Challenge
Describe a Halloween costume using as many vocabulary words as possible. Others try to guess the costume. This game enhances descriptive language skills and vocabulary usage in context.
Spooky Spelling Bee
Host a Halloween-themed spelling bee using words from your vocabulary list. This traditional activity is great for improving spelling and pronunciation.
Halloween Mad Libs
Create or use pre-made Halloween-themed Mad Libs, focusing on using the new vocabulary words as fill-in-the-blanks. This activity helps understand parts of speech and word usage in sentences.
Pumpkin Vocabulary
Write vocabulary words on small pumpkins or pumpkin cut-outs. Use these for various activities like sorting into categories (e.g., “spooky” vs. “Halloween traditions”), making sentences, or playing memory games.
These activities can be adapted for different age groups and language levels. For younger learners, focus on simpler terms and more visual or kinesthetic activities. For advanced learners, incorporate more complex words and challenge them to use the vocabulary in more sophisticated ways.
By making vocabulary learning a fun and interactive experience, you’re more likely to remember and use these Halloween words long after the jack-o’-lanterns have been put away.
Happy Halloween, Whatever Your Language!
From the essential Halloween terms like “trick-or-treat” and “jack-o’-lantern” to the more spine-chilling words like “phantasmagorical” and “macabre,” we’ve explored a wide range of vocabulary that captures the essence of this eerie celebration. We’ve also checked out Halloween traditions from around the world and discovered how different languages express Halloween concepts.
Why is this vocabulary important? For language learners, it offers a fun and thematic way to expand their English skills. For native speakers, it provides a deeper appreciation of the nuances and richness of language associated with this beloved holiday. And for everyone, it enhances the ability to fully participate in and enjoy Halloween festivities, whether that’s telling a chilling ghost story, describing an elaborate costume, or simply engaging in Halloween-themed conversations.
So, as October 31st approaches, don’t be afraid to put your new vocabulary to use. Describe your costume using those creepy adjectives, share some international Halloween traditions with your friends, or try out a spooky phrase in a different language.
May your Halloween be filled with treats, not tricks, and may your newfound vocabulary serve you well in all your ghostly adventures. Happy Halloween, and happy word-crafting!
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