Halloween

UK: ˌhæl.əʊˈiːn | US: ˌhæl.oʊˈiːn

Definition

  1. n. a festival celebrated on October 31, characterized by costumes, trick-or-treating, and spooky decorations, originating from ancient Celtic traditions.

Structure
hallow <holy>een <evening>
Etymology

halloween = hallow<holy> + een<evening>

  • hallow (from Old English hālig, meaning "holy" or "saintly")
  • een (contraction of "even," derived from Old English ǣfen, meaning "evening")

Etymology Origin:
The word "Halloween" traces back to the Scottish term All Hallows' Even (or "Evening"), the night before All Hallows' Day (November 1, a Christian feast day honoring saints). Over time, "All Hallows' Even" contracted to "Hallowe'en" and later "Halloween." The holiday itself blends Celtic harvest festivals (like Samhain) with Christian traditions, evolving into its modern secular form.

Examples

  1. Children dress up in costumes for Halloween.

  2. Carving pumpkins is a popular Halloween activity.

  3. Many cultures have their own versions of Halloween.

  4. The neighborhood was decorated with spooky lights for Halloween.

  5. Trick-or-treating is a beloved Halloween tradition.