trick-or-treating
Costumed neighborhood begging
Trick-or-treating is the Halloween custom where children in costume go door to door asking for candy.
The phrase trick or treat implies a playful threat—give us treats or face mischief.
The activity typically happens on October 31st in the evening: The kids went trick-or-treating until their bags were full.
Sugary food items
- chocolateSweet from cacao seeds
- lollipopsHard candy on sticks
- gummiesChewy gelatin-based sweets
- caramelsChewy butter-sugar candy
snickers · skittles · m&ms · butterfinger · starburst · nerds · toffees · jellybeans
Carved pumpkin with light
- pumpkinLarge orange autumn gourd
- OctoberYear's tenth month
- hauntedOccupied by ghosts
- spookyUnsettlingly strange
nightfall · cobwebs · bats · skeletons · ghosts · witches · vampires · goblins
Identity-concealing alteration
- maskFace-worn concealment
- makeupProducts for beautifying faces
- outfitSet of clothes worn together
- superheroPowered champion against evil
witch · vampire · ghost · zombie · pirate · princess · monster · mummy
Striking to announce presence
- doorbellEntry alert device
- porchlightsOutdoor fixtures by doorways
- neighborsThose dwelling nearby
- welcomingReceiving others warmly
streets · sidewalks · routes · bags · buckets · flashlights · chaperone · curfew
sweets
Sugary food items
caramels · snickers · skittles · m&ms · butterfinger · starburst · nerds · toffees · jellybeans · pillowcase
jack-o'-lantern
Carved pumpkin with light
spooky · nightfall · cobwebs · bats · skeletons · ghosts · witches · vampires · goblins · eerie
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
superhero · witch · vampire · ghost · zombie · pirate · princess · monster · mummy · clown
knocking
Striking to announce presence
- doorbellEntry alert device
- porchlightsOutdoor fixtures by doorways
- neighborsThose dwelling nearby
welcoming · streets · sidewalks · routes · bags · buckets · flashlights · chaperone · curfew · safety
excitement
State of eager enthusiasm
friends · groups · chaperone · safety · flashlights · bedtime · energy · playful · anticipation · siblings
mumming
Performing in disguise
chanting · offerings · procession · disguise · performance · tradition · harvest · ancestors · spirits · medieval
- American traditionsFourth of July, Thanksgiving, county fair, state fair, rodeo
- costume eventscostume party, masquerade, masquerade ball, costume ball, Halloween party
- seasonal activitiesapple picking, pumpkin carving, pumpkin patch, pumpkin picking, hayride
- Small-Town Lifegeneral store, town square, front porch, church steeple, water tower
- costume activitiesHalloween, cosplay, masquerade, costume party, dress-up
- neighborhood activitieslemonade stand, babysitting, dog walking, lawn mowing, garage sale
trick-or-treatingcaroling
Festive neighborhood singing
wassailing · nativity scenes · Thanksgiving dinner · gift-giving
treat, trick, treaty, treatment, treated, treats, intricate, treating, tricking