Halloween is a festive time celebrated on the 31st of October every year, particularly in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. It’s filled with costume parties, trick-or-treating, and decorations that range from the cute to the downright spooky. If you’re learning English, this is the perfect opportunity to expand your vocabulary with words associated with this ghastly holiday. Here are some Halloween-related words to help you get into the spirit of the season:

Jack-o’-lantern
A pumpkin that has been hollowed out and carved with a face, and then lit with a candle inside. The jack-o’-lantern is a staple Halloween decoration.
We placed our jack-o’-lantern on the porch to greet the trick-or-treaters.

Costume
An outfit worn to create the appearance of something or someone else during Halloween. Costumes can range from classic characters like witches and vampires to modern pop culture icons.
She won the contest with her elaborate mermaid costume.

Trick-or-treat
The activity of children dressing in costumes and going from door to door to ask for candy with the phrase, “Trick or treat!” It’s considered a fundamental Halloween tradition for kids in many countries.
The kids can’t wait to go trick-or-treating this Halloween.

Ghost
An apparition of a dead person that is believed to appear or become manifest to the living, typically as a nebulous image. Ghosts are among the most common themes of Halloween.
My little brother is afraid that a ghost might appear on Halloween night.

Witch
A woman thought to have magic powers, especially evil ones. Popularly depicted as wearing a pointed hat and flying on a broomstick, witches are a popular Halloween character.
She dressed up as a witch, complete with a cauldron and magic spells.

Zombie
A fictional undead being created through the reanimation of a human corpse. Zombies are a favorite in horror films and Halloween festivities.
Zombies shuffled down the street as part of the Halloween parade.

Haunted house
A house said to be visited by ghosts and spirits. During Halloween, many haunted house attractions are set up for entertainment.
They screamed their way through the haunted house attraction at the amusement park.

Skeleton
The frame of bones making up the body of a human or animal, often used as a frightening yet playful symbol during Halloween.
A skeleton decoration hung in the classroom to mark Halloween.

Monster
A type of grotesque creature, often found in legends or horror stories. Monsters are a prominent feature of Halloween iconography.
Children love telling scary monster stories during Halloween sleepovers.

Spooky
Something that is eerie or scary in a way that is associated with ghosts or the supernatural. “Spooky” is often used to describe the atmospheric feeling around Halloween.
We decorated the house with spooky cobwebs and bats for the party.

Bat
A nocturnal flying mammal associated with Halloween, largely due to its connection with vampires in folklore. Bats are commonly used as a decoration during the holiday.
A group of bats flew overhead, adding to the Halloween night’s ambiance.

Candy
Sweets given to trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. Candy is an essential part of the Halloween tradition for children.
Her Halloween candy stash lasted her well into November.

By adding these words to your English vocabulary, not only do you get to participate in the Halloween festivities, but you also enrich your language skills in a fun and engaging way. Happy haunting and learning!