October is here, and you know what that means — spooky costumes, pumpkin spice everything, and of course… Halloween!

Scrolling through social media, you might notice that people use a lot of slang that is suitable for a Halloween theme. You can feel that people are using them for fun, but they still confuse you since the original meanings seem different. Words like “slay,” “ghosted,” or “it’s giving spooky vibes” appear everywhere — from Instagram captions to TikTok comments.

Halloween is around the corner! If you are learning English and want to keep up with what is trending, why don’t you take this occasion as a chance to learn about this Halloween slang? In this blog, ELSA Speak will help you understand the most popular Halloween slang people are using online — and how to use them naturally, like a native speaker.

1. SLAY – To look amazing or do something perfectly

Originally meaning “to kill”, slay has become one of the most popular slang words on social media recently. When someone says, “You slayed that costume!” it means you looked incredible or totally nailed your outfit.

Example:

• “Wow, your vampire makeup slays!”
• “She slayed the Halloween party last night.”
  

How to use: Use slay to praise someone’s look, performance, or confidence — especially in fun, dramatic ways.

2. SPOOKY VIBES – A fun way to describe the Halloween atmosphere

People often use vibes to describe feelings or moods. During Halloween, you will see spooky vibes everywhere — meaning something feels mysterious, ghostly, or perfectly Halloween-themed.

Example:

• “These decorations are giving spooky vibes!”
• “The full moon and fog tonight… total spooky vibes.”
  

How to use: You can replace spooky with any adjective: “cozy vibes,” “romantic vibes,” “Halloween vibes.”

3. BOO – A cute nickname for your partner or friend

Besides being the sound a ghost makes, boo is also an affectionate slang term for someone you love — similar to babe or sweetheart.

Example:

• “Happy Halloween, boo!”
• “My boo and I are doing matching costumes this year.”
  

How to use: Just remember — boo in this sense is only for people you are close to.

4. GHOSTED – When someone suddenly stops replying

This word fits Halloween perfectly! If someone ghosts you, it means they disappear from your life without explanation, just like a ghost. It is often used in dating or online chatting.

Example:

• “I thought he liked me, but he ghosted me after our date.”
• “She ghosted our group chat — no message for a week!”
  

How to use: Use ghosted for any situation where someone cuts off communication suddenly.

5. SQUAD GHOULS – Your Halloween crew or best friends

A fun twist on squad goals, squad ghouls is a Halloween slang term used to describe your group of friends you celebrate with, especially if you are doing group costumes or spooky parties together.

Example:

• “Me and my squad ghouls are going as the Addams Family this year!”
• “Squad ghouls night = pumpkin carving + horror movies.”
  

How to use: Use it humorously on Instagram captions or stories with your friends.

6. CREEPIN’ IT REAL – Keeping it real (Halloween-style!)

A playful pun on keepin’ it real, this slang phrase means being yourself or staying cool while embracing the Halloween spirit.

Example:

• “Just creepin’ it real this Halloween .”
• “Creepin’ it real with my pumpkin latte!”
  

How to use: Perfect for captions or funny Halloween-themed selfies.

7. “Fangtastic” – A fang-tastic compliment

Another Halloween pun — fangtastic mixes “fantastic” with “fang”, often used to describe something amazingly fun or scary in a cute way.

Example:

• “Your costume is fangtastic!”
• “Had a fangtastic night at the haunted house.”
  

How to use: It is mostly playful and lighthearted, which is perfect for posts or messages during the Halloween season.

8. WITCH, PLEASE! – A sassy Halloween expression

This slang is a spooky twist on the word “please” used jokingly between friends. It shows confidence, sass, or disbelief, funnily.

Example:

• “You think your costume’s better than mine? Witch, please!”
• “Witch, please. I’ve been ready for Halloween since August.”
  

How to use: It is only for informal, humorous situations. Do not use it in serious or professional contexts!

9. BASIC WITCH – Someone who loves all things Halloween

You may have heard “basic” used to describe someone who likes trendy or mainstream things. A basic witch is someone who goes all out for Halloween, such as pumpkin spice, witch hats, cozy sweaters, and fall candles!

Example:

• “I’m such a basic witch — I already bought three pumpkin candles.”
• “My basic witch era starts every October.”
  

How to use: It is often used humorously to describe yourself or a friend who loves every Halloween cliché.

10. BOO-TIFUL – Beautiful, but make it Halloween

Last but not least, boo-tiful is a cute Halloween slang version of beautiful. It is often used in captions, cards, or decorations.

Example:

• “You look boo-tiful tonight!”
• “Hope you have a boo-tiful Halloween!”
  

How to use: Great for cheerful or flirty Halloween wishes!

Stay confident this Halloween season with Halloween idioms!

Why Learning Slang Matters?

Slang is one of the hardest parts of English because it changes quickly, especially with the rapid change in the virtual world. Understanding slang not only helps you sound more natural but also lets you join the fun on social media, comment confidently, and connect with native speakers. 

So in this spooky season, learning Halloween slang is a fun and updated way to upgrade your English vocabulary, which will make you confident while speaking these days.

When you recognize words like slay, ghosted, or basic witch in TikTok captions or memes, you will understand the joke, and maybe even make your own!

How to Stay Updated Using ELSA Speak!

English is constantly changing — new slang, new idioms, new ways to express yourself. If you want to keep up with these trends while improving your pronunciation and fluency, ELSA Speak is the perfect tool for you.

With ELSA Speak, you can:
1. Practice speaking naturally with real-time pronunciation feedback.
2. Learn everyday expressions used by native speakers.
3. Check out daily new blogs to stay updated with new English knowledge — like learning Halloween slang or spooky idioms.

And this Halloween, ELSA has a spooky-good deal for English learners everywhere! 

You can enjoy up to 70% OFF ELSA Premium and bring your English to the next level — whether you’re learning slang, idioms, or interview English.

👉 CHECK IT OUT HERE! 

Final Thoughts

Halloween is not just about candy and costumes. It is a time to have fun with language, too! By learning and using Halloween slang, you can understand social media trends, talk like a native speaker, and express yourself with confidence and humor.
So this October, whether you’re slaying your costume, creepin’ it real, or hanging out with your squad ghouls, remember — language learning can be as fun as a Halloween party!