However the vacation is rising in reputation world wide, so chances are you’ll already learn about Halloween. It’s additionally depicted on many TV reveals from the USA.
This scary publish will take a look at 31 important spooky phrases and haunted Halloween vocabulary to speak about Halloween like a local in English.
Initially, Halloween was a pagan (non-Christian) celebration referred to as Samhain, which concerned lighting fires to scare off ghosts and spirits.
The precise phrase is comprised of two ideas. The primary a part of the phrase, “hallow,” means “holy.” The “een” half is an previous method of spelling “night.” So in different phrases, “Halloween” is the night earlier than a holy day. That holy day is the Christian All Saints’ Day, which is held every year on November 1st.
Prior to now, many individuals used to put on costumes of scary creatures on Halloween to scare away evil spirits. That customized advanced into fashionable traditions, reminiscent of dressing up like totally different creatures.
Modern-day Halloween celebrations don’t actually have a non secular element anymore, although. Lately, Halloween is generally for youths. It’s not a severe or spiritual vacation anymore—it’s only a enjoyable motive to put on a dressing up, have a celebration, eat sweet and play some video games.
2. Trick-or-treating
A part of speech: Verb Pronunciation:Trick-or-treating Instance sentence: “I’m excited to go trick-or-treating tonight!”
This is among the commonest Halloween traditions. Children costume up in costumes and children go to totally different homes within the neighborhood, providing the phrase “trick or deal with” to whomever solutions the door.
Initially, this was a risk. If the individual didn’t give the kids a chunk of sweet or fruit, the ghosts and goblins on the door would possibly carry out a trick, or a prank, reminiscent of smashing the jack-o’-lantern or “adorning” the proprietor’s home with rest room paper.
Take a look at the quick TV particular “It’s the Nice Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” It’s a traditional Peanuts cartoon (with Snoopy) that includes trick-or-treating and different Halloween customs.
3. Costume
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Costume Instance sentence: “I can’t determine what costume I’m going to put on for Halloween this yr.”
A fancy dress is just like a disguise, which is one thing that makes you seem like a distinct individual. A fancy dress usually has a foremost half that covers your physique, and a few additionally embrace a masks, which covers your face.
Do not forget that you need to use the verb “to put on” with a dressing up, because it’s clothes that you just put in your physique. It’s additionally widespread to make use of the phrases “costume up as ” or “go as” when speaking about Halloween costumes.
Additionally, a enjoyable cultural word: It’s a joke that each costume might be made right into a “attractive costume,” reminiscent of an attractive nurse or an attractive police officer. However in recent times the pattern has turn out to be much more ridiculous, with costumes like a attractive pizza rat, the “attractive” model of a rat that discovered fame by carrying a chunk of pizza down the steps of the New York Subway.
4. Decorations
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Decorations Instance sentence: “Let’s put up our Halloween decorations tomorrow.”
Decorations are any objects placed on show that add to the sensation of a vacation. For instance, a standard ornament for Christmas is a Christmas tree.
For Halloween, widespread decorations are pretend spiderwebs, skeletons, jack-o’-lanterns, tombstones or the rest that provides to the spookiness of this haunted night time.
Scary Phrases
5. Scary
A part of speech: Adjective Pronunciation:Scary Instance sentence: “That horror film is so scary!”
If one thing is horrifying, it makes you expertise worry. In different phrases, it causes you to really feel afraid.
If you happen to expertise worry, you possibly can say that you’re scared. So “scary” and “scared” are very related, however one causes worry and the opposite experiences worry.
Lots of people are afraid of sure animals (like snakes or spiders), sure locations (like elevators), or sure experiences (like flying or public talking).
6. Afraid
A part of speech: Adjective Pronunciation:Afraid Instance sentence: “Are you afraid of ghosts? I’m!”
A very widespread synonym for scared is “afraid” A great trick is to keep in mind that it’s usually used with “of.”
7. Frightened
A part of speech: Adjective Pronunciation:Frightened Instance sentence: “My brother will get frightened simply.”
The phrase “frightened” is one other synonym for “scared,” however it’s a bit extra superior and just a little extra formal.
If you expertise worry, you’re feeling frightened. Usually, individuals are frightened as a result of they’re shocked, however not essentially scared, which is a little more excessive.
8. Spooky
A part of speech: Adjective Pronunciation:Spooky Instance sentence: “I don’t like strolling by way of the cemetery after darkish. I do know nothing will occur, however it simply feels too quiet and spooky.”
This can be a widespread phrase to listen to round Halloween. It’s just like “scary,” however much less intense. If one thing is spooky, it’d make you’re feeling just a little bit scared or uncomfortable, however it will also be a enjoyable feeling—a bit thrilling.
It’s usually associated to the environment or the final feeling of a spot like a haunted home or a cemetery.
9. Creepy
A part of speech: Adjective Pronunciation:Creepy Instance sentence: “That man within the inexperienced shirt is watching that lady. He appears fairly creepy.”
This phrase can also be similar to “spooky” and “scary,” however one thing creepy will make you’re feeling uncomfortable, however not essentially scared.
The verbs “to creep,” “to creep up” or “to creep round” imply to maneuver in a secret, sneaky method that makes it arduous be seen. So individuals who creep round may be doing issues which can be dishonest or unlawful.
The noun type of this phrase, “creep,” is an individual who does bizarre issues that make others really feel uncomfortable.
10. Freaky
A part of speech: Adjective Pronunciation:Freaky Instance sentence: “After I received into the automobile accident, I freaked out, despite the fact that I wasn’t injured. I needed to sit down for a half hour earlier than I used to be calm once more. It’s nonetheless a bit freaky for me to drive on the street the place I had the accident.”
Once more, that is just like the others, however “freaky” is used to explain one thing that’s unusual or not regular. It will also be used to explain a scary or intense scenario or individual.
An individual who’s freaky or who does freaky issues might be referred to as a “freak.” It’s extra generally used to explain somebody who is actually intensely focused on one thing. For instance, I might be referred to as a “Star Wars freak” as a result of I actually just like the “Star Wars” films.
You additionally would possibly hear the verb “to freak out.” Meaning to both be actually scared, to lose your endurance and even to nearly go loopy in its most excessive type.
11. Eerie
A part of speech: Adjective Pronunciation:Eerie Instance sentence: “I used to be nearly to name my cousin, who I hadn’t talked to in a yr. However proper once I picked up the cellphone to name him, my cellphone rang—it was my cousin! That was fairly eerie.”
This phrase is much less widespread in fashionable English, however it’s just like “spooky.” “Eerie” is commonly used to explain one thing that’s weird, unusual or unusual. Individuals additionally describe supernatural issues as being eerie. Consider it as being a step beneath “spooky” and some steps beneath “scary.”
12. Foolish
A part of speech: Adjective Pronunciation:Foolish Instance sentence: “Many individuals say that clowns are purported to be enjoyable and foolish, however I believe they’re simply creepy and even scary.
Halloween isn’t all concerning the scary issues. It’s additionally concerning the foolish. How else would you describe somebody who’s dressed up as a large taco?
If one thing is foolish, it’s enjoyable or humorous. In different phrases, it isn’t severe, and will even make you chortle.
Symbols of Halloween
13. Jack-o’-lantern
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Jack-o’-lantern Instance sentence: “It’s nearly Halloween. We have to carve the jack-o’-lantern!”
It has a wierd title and an fascinating historical past. Principally, it’s a pumpkin that has a face carved into it. Then, you place a candle contained in the pumpkin and light-weight it up, turning it right into a lantern.
Individuals use jack-o’-lanterns as Halloween decorations, and generally folks get collectively to have a small social gathering to carve them.
14. Haunted home
A part of speech: Noun (“Haunted” is an adjective) Pronunciation:Haunted home Instance sentence: “I’m too scared to undergo the haunted home.”
If one thing is haunted, it signifies that it has ghosts or spirits residing in it. Some folks imagine that their homes are haunted if unusual issues occur, which they’ll’t clarify.
A haunted home at Halloween is a bit totally different, although. For this, a home is adorned to make it scary and spooky, after which invite guests to stroll by way of the home. Whereas the guests stroll by way of, folks in scary costumes bounce out to attempt to scare the guests. Usually, you should pay to go to a haunted home, so it’s like a seasonal enterprise.
15. Scarecrow
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Scarecrow Instance sentence: “The scarecrow in that cornfield appears eerie!”
A scarecrow is utilized by farmers to scare crows (a kind of hen) away from their fields, as a result of the birds eat the grains within the subject.
To make a scarecrow, you are taking previous garments and fill them with straw or hay (dried grass). You then put the stuffed garments on a tall stick so it would stand upright. The rationale birds are afraid of scarecrows is that they seem like folks.
The scarecrow is expounded to Halloween as a result of it’s a harvest pageant, set throughout the time of yr when farmers harvest their crops and put together for winter.
To see a well-known scarecrow, try the Scarecrow character within the latest Batman films.
16. Black cat
A part of speech: Noun (“Black” is an adjective) Pronunciation:Black cat Instance sentence: “If a black cat crosses your path, flip the opposite method.”
Black cats are associated to many superstitions and are thought to convey unhealthy luck. A black cat with an arched again is commonly used a Halloween ornament due to this.
Prior to now, folks thought that witches may rework themselves into cats. So black cats are nonetheless a standard image of Halloween nowadays.
17. Spider
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Spider Instance sentence: “I’m afraid of spiders—particularly large ones.”
Many individuals are afraid of spiders. As a result of they’re a standard worry, they’re excellent for Halloween decorations. Individuals usually use pretend spiderwebs of their gardens, which may create a creepy impact.
18. Sweet
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Sweet Instance sentence: “We’ll have a great deal of sweet after we go trick-or-treating.”
This isn’t scary in any respect (except you’re a dentist, perhaps!), however sweet is actually widespread round Halloween.
When youngsters go trick-or-treating, they obtain loads of sweet from all the homes they go to. Additionally, in case you have a Halloween social gathering, it’s widespread to eat sweets like sweet corn or caramel apples.
19. Graveyard
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Graveyard Instance sentence: “That previous graveyard at all times creeps me out.”
A graveyard is one other title for a cemetery. A “grave” (additionally referred to as a tomb) is a spot the place a useless physique is buried.
It’s a standard image for Halloween as a result of Halloween was historically related to ghosts and spirits of useless folks.
20. Tombstone
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Tombstone Instance sentence: “I like previous tombstones and imagining the lives of the folks.”
A tombstone is a stone that marks the place a tomb or grave is situated. Normally it consists of the title of the one who is buried, the dates that she or he lived, and a few type of message or different inscription.
You’ll usually see the letters “R.I.P.” on a tombstone, which stand for “relaxation in peace.”
Scary Creatures
21. Monster
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Monster Instance sentence: “Monsters are likely to lurk in darkish locations, so keep away from them.”
A monster is a normal phrase to explain any creature or individual that’s scary. Probably the most well-known monster might be Frankenstein’s monster from the traditional ebook “Frankenstein,” wherein Dr. Frankenstein constructs a monster from totally different useless physique components!
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Ghost / Spirit Instance sentence: “I’m afraid of ghosts and spirits, aren’t you?”
These two phrases are mainly synonyms, at the least when speaking about Halloween. Some folks imagine that if you die, your ghost or spirit stays on earth. Ghosts and spirits would possibly watch over folks or they may hang-out them in locations like haunted homes.
Being a ghost will also be a extremely low-cost Halloween costume, since all you want is a big white mattress sheet with two eye holes lower out so you possibly can see the place you’re going.
23. Witch
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Witch Instance sentence: “Is it true that witches fly round on broomsticks?”
A witch is a girl with magical powers. The usual witch usually wears a tall black hat, has inexperienced pores and skin or warts and rides a brush round. There are various kinds of witches, although, together with Minerva McGonagall from the “Harry Potter” books.
Witches are regarded as related to the underworld, they usually could make magical potions and brews. They will additionally forged spells, which may hurt or assist these receiving them.
24. Wizard
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Wizard Instance sentence: “Don’t anger the wizard. He can forged a spell on you.”
A wizard is the male model of a witch. In different phrases, it’s a person with magical powers.
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Zombie Instance sentence: “My favourite films are about zombies.”
You’ve most likely heard this phrase, because it’s very related in lots of languages. A zombie is mainly a useless person who has someway stayed “alive.”
Typically they’re actually quick or actually sluggish, however most of time zombies prefer to eat people, or at the least their brains, so it’s greatest to keep away from them in any respect prices.
Zombies make nice Halloween costumes.
26. Mummy
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Mummy Instance sentence: “Mummies are previous and scary, and greatest left of their crypts.”
In tombs in locations like Egypt, folks made their kings into mummies by wrapping their useless our bodies in material earlier than burying them in a tomb. You possibly can even see mummies from some Egyptian kings like Ramses II in museums as we speak.
A Halloween mummy relies on the identical thought, however it appears extra like the mother from the traditional science fiction film from 1932.
The principle distinction with a Halloween mummy is that it comes alive and walks—which clearly couldn’t occur with actual mummies!
27. Vampire
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Vampire Instance sentence: “I’ve learn that some vampires are a number of thousand years previous.”
A vampire is a former human that drinks blood and is immortal. Many cultures have legends about vampires, and there are a ridiculous variety of films, TV reveals and books about them.
The most well-liked vampire story is about Rely Dracula from Transylvania in Romania. The previous tales say that vampires prefer to drink blood from their victims’ necks. If you happen to get bitten by a vampire, you’ll additionally turn out to be a vampire!
In response to some legends, vampires can rework themselves into bats—the one flying mammal—so that they’re one other widespread image of Halloween.
28. Skeleton
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Skeleton Instance sentence: “Skeletons are standard in Mexican Day of the Useless festivals.”
A skeleton is a group of all of the bones in a physique.
They’re related to Halloween as a result of they’re the stays of a useless folks, and Halloween is about communing with the useless. It’s additionally as a result of many individuals suppose skeletons and bones are creepy or scary.
29. Werewolf
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Werewolf Instance sentence: “If you happen to hear howling late at night time, it might be a werewolf.”
A werewolf can also be generally referred to as a “wolf-man.” It’s an individual who’s a human more often than not, however when there’s a full moon, she or he transforms right into a wolf.
A werewolf acts regular as a human, however might be very violent after they rework right into a wolf. If you happen to get bitten by a werewolf, legends say that additionally, you will turn out to be a werewolf!
That is one other nice costume alternative for Halloween.
30. The Grim Reaper
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:The Grim Reaper Instance sentence: “If theGrim Reaper comes calling, run!”
The phrase “loss of life” is the noun type of the adjective “useless” and the verb “to die.” In most Halloween “Demise” costumes, folks put on an extended, black gown with a hood and carry a sickle or scythe, which is a pointy software that farmers use to chop grain within the subject.
Demise’s title is often “the Grim Reaper.” The phrase “grim” means darkish or miserable. “Reaper” is expounded to the verb “to reap,” which implies to reap crops like grain. However the Grim Reaper doesn’t harvest crops, he collects useless folks!
If you will get a black gown and a scythe, this may be a straightforward costume to place collectively.
31. Satan / Demon
A part of speech: Noun Pronunciation:Satan / Demon Instance sentence: “Devils and demons are actually scary costume decisions.”
You’ve most likely heard of the satan as a result of there are references to him in numerous songs, books and films.
Demons are carefully associated. They’re mainly the other of angels—evil creatures that stay in hell or within the afterlife, torturing folks’s spirits after they die.
You may additionally hear folks confer with the Satan (with a capital “D”). In that case, it has a non secular which means, referring to the lead demon who’s in control of Hell. Different names for the Satan are Devil, Lucifer and Mephistopheles.
There may be usually controversy about Halloween as a result of it has non-Christian roots. However as we speak, most individuals have fun Halloween simply to have enjoyable and to go to costume events.
Take a look at this video for some spooky costume concepts:
You now have much more Halloween vocabulary and scary phrases that will help you enhance your English vocabulary and to speak about and perceive Halloween.
If you wish to be taught much more Halloween vocabulary in context, think about making an attempt out FluentU. This progressive language studying program makes use of genuine movies like film trailers, information clips and music movies to show. Because it has clickable subtitles, everytime you encounter a Halloween associated phrase, simply click on to see the place else the phrase happens!
Whether or not you dress up and go trick-or-treating, or in case you simply keep at dwelling and watch scary films to have fun, I hope you’ve a contented Halloween!
I am an Organizational Development Consultant, Science (Physics||Mathematics), and the Holy Qur'an teacher. To get started with me, Book Now one-to-one Session, or let us know what do you like in the contact form
