Halloween is one of the most fun and creative celebrations in the English-speaking world. From dressing up in costumes to carving pumpkins and saying “Trick or treat!”, the day is full of unique traditions and unique words.

If you want to sound natural when talking about Halloween with friends, watching movies, or joining a party, learning Halloween vocabulary is the perfect start. This guide will walk you through essential Halloween words, their meanings in simple English, and examples of how to use them like a native speaker.

What Is Halloween?

Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, began as an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain, when people believed that spirits could cross into the living world. Today, it is a fun cultural event full of costumes, candy, and spooky decorations.

Understanding the key Halloween vocabulary helps you enjoy the season more, whether you are chatting online, taking part in events, or watching Halloween movies like Hocus Pocus or The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Top 20 Halloween Vocabulary (With Meanings and Examples)

Here are the most common words you’ll hear during the spooky season:

1. Costume

Meaning: Clothes you wear to look like someone or something else.
Example: I wore a witch costume to the Halloween party.

2. Trick or treat

Meaning: A phrase children say when they go from house to house asking for candy.
Example: Kids shouted “Trick or treat!” at every door in the neighborhood.

3. Jack-o’-lantern

Meaning: A carved pumpkin with a candle inside, often with a scary face.
Example: We made a jack-o’-lantern with a big smile and glowing eyes.

4. Haunted house

Meaning: A house that people believe is full of ghosts or scary things.
Example: The haunted house on Main Street gives everyone chills.

5. Ghost

Meaning: The spirit of a dead person.
Example: She said she saw a ghost in the mirror.

6. Witch

Meaning: A woman with magical powers, often shown with a black hat and broom. Example: The witch flew across the sky on her broomstick.

7. Vampire

Meaning: A creature that drinks blood usually avoids sunlight.
Example: The movie was about a vampire who lived in a dark castle.

8. Zombie

Meaning: A dead body that moves and acts alive.
Example: Everyone dressed like zombies for the Halloween parade.

9. Spider web

Meaning: A web made by spiders, used as a Halloween decoration.
Example: We hung fake spider webs all over the living room.

10. Candy

Meaning: Sweet treats children collect on Halloween.
Example: I got so much candy that my bag almost broke!

11. Skeleton

Meaning: The bones inside a person or animal’s body.
Example: A plastic skeleton was hanging from the door.

12. Mask

Meaning: Something you wear over your face to look like another person or creature.
Example: His scary mask made everyone scream!

13. Graveyard

Meaning: A place where dead people are buried.
Example: They filmed the Halloween video in an old graveyard.

14. Bat

Meaning: A small flying animal that comes out at night.
Example: A bat flew out of the cave as we walked by.

15. Potion

Meaning: A magic drink made by witches.
Example: The witch made a potion to turn people into frogs.

16. Spell

Meaning: Words that are said to make magic happen.
Example: The witch cast a spell to make the pumpkin come alive.

17. Monster

Meaning: A large, strange, or scary creature.
Example: The monster in the movie had three eyes and sharp teeth.

18. Full moon

Meaning: When the moon looks round and bright.
Example: The full moon made the night look even spookier.

19. Scarecrow

Meaning: A figure made to scare birds away from fields.
Example: The scarecrow looked alive under the moonlight.

20. Cauldron

Meaning: A big, round pot used by witches to cook magic potions.
Example: Smoke came out of the witch’s cauldron during the show.

Phrases You Can Use This Halloween

Besides words, here are some common English phrases people use during Halloween:

• “I’m dying to see your costume!” → means I’m very excited to see your costume.
  
• “This party is to die for!” → means The party is amazing.
  
• “That movie gave me the chills.” → means It was very scary.
  
• “You scared me to death!” → means You really surprised or frightened me.
  

Using these idioms helps you sound more like a native speaker and adds fun to your Halloween conversations.

How to Use Halloween Vocabulary Naturally

Knowing Halloween vocabulary is not just about memorizing words. You need to use them naturally in sentences and conversations.

Here are some examples:

• “I carved a jack-o’-lantern and put it by the window.”
  
• “We went to a haunted house, and it was so scary!”
  
• “She wore a vampire costume that looked so real.”
  

To sound fluent, pay attention to intonation and pronunciation — especially when saying spooky or emotional words like ghost, witch, or monster.

Speak English More Confidently with ELSA Speak

Want to sound like a native this Halloween? ELSA Speak can be your perfect language partner.

ELSA Speak is an AI-powered English learning app that helps you pronounce every word correctly, including difficult ones from our Halloween vocabulary list. You can listen to native speakers, repeat the words, and get instant feedback on your pronunciation.

The app also offers themed lessons, including vocabulary, speaking practice, and pronunciation improvement — perfect for learning how to say “Trick or treat!” or “Happy Halloween!” like a native English speaker.

By practicing regularly, you can build confidence, improve fluency, and make English part of your daily fun — even during spooky season!

Make This Halloween Spooktacular!

Learning Halloween vocabulary is not only about words – it is about joining the fun of the season. From haunted houses to trick-or-treating, these words help you describe what you see, feel, and experience during Halloween.

With the right vocabulary, you can talk about your costume, describe decorations, and even share your Halloween adventures on social media in English.

So this October 31st, put on your costume, grab your candy bag, and start using your new words confidently! TAP HERE!