130+ Halloween Words: Spooky Vocabulary List for Writers & Teachers

Halloween has a way of sneaking up on us with its mix of mystery, imagination, and a little bit of playful fright. And nothing sets the mood quite like the words we use to describe it. From eerie creatures to glowing pumpkins, Halloween vocabulary helps writers, teachers, and parents create scenes that feel vivid, atmospheric, and full of seasonal charm.

Whether you’re crafting a spooky story, preparing a classroom activity, or simply looking for the perfect words to bring Halloween to life, having a well-organized word list makes everything easier. This guide gathers more than 130 Halloween words—creatures, objects, adjectives, phrases, and more—so you can spark creativity, inspire learning, and add the right touch of spooky fun to any project.

Let’s explore the language that makes Halloween feel like Halloween.

What Are Halloween Words?

Halloween words are the terms, images, and expressions we associate with the holiday’s unique blend of mystery, playfulness, and imagination. They reflect the traditions we celebrate, the stories we tell, and the atmosphere we create each October. From the whimsical costumes to the eerie shadows, Halloween vocabulary helps shape the entire experience.

Understanding the Language of Halloween

Certain words naturally rise to the top each Halloween because they’re woven into the culture surrounding the holiday. Pumpkins, ghosts, witches, lanterns, costumes—these words show up in decorations, stories, movies, and classroom activities, making them instantly recognizable and deeply tied to the season.

Halloween Words vs. General Spooky Words

Not every spooky word is a Halloween word, and not every Halloween word is particularly scary.

• Halloween-specific words include terms tied directly to the holiday itself: trick-or-treat, costume, jack-o’-lantern, candy, haunted house.
  
• General spooky words belong to the broader world of horror or mystery: fog, shadows, bones, eerie, lurking.
  

Both types are useful, and when combined, they help create richer, more atmospheric stories, lessons, and activities.

Master List: 130+ Halloween Words (Quick Reference)

If you’re looking for fast inspiration, this quick-reference list brings together classic Halloween terms, spooky imagery, seasonal activities, and fun words kids love. Use it for writing prompts, classroom worksheets, party games, or anytime you want to add a touch of Halloween atmosphere.

A–F

Apparition, autumn, bat, bones, broomstick, cauldron, cobweb, costume, creep, darkness, eerie, enchant, fog, fright

G–L

Ghost, ghoul, gravestone, goosebumps, haunted, howl, jack-o’-lantern, lantern, lurking

M–S

Mask, midnight, mist, monster, moonlight, mummy, potion, pumpkin, shadow, skeleton, spell, spider, spirit, superstition

T–Z

Tombstone, treat, trick, twilight, web, witch, wizard, wraith, zombie

This list sets the stage for the more detailed sections ahead, where you’ll find themed nouns, adjectives, verbs, phrases, food-related words, and kid-friendly vocabulary perfect for Halloween projects.

Halloween Nouns: Creatures, Objects, and Places

Nouns help build the core of any Halloween scene. Whether spooky, playful, or mysterious, these words give you the characters, items, and settings that make Halloween instantly recognizable. Perfect for writers, teachers, and anyone crafting seasonal activities.

Spooky Creatures and Characters

These classic figures bring the supernatural side of Halloween to life.
Ghosts, witches, vampires, zombies, werewolves, goblins, mummies, skeletons, black cats, bats

Halloween Objects and Symbols

From decorations to magical items, these nouns capture the holiday’s imagery.
Pumpkins, jack-o’-lanterns, broomstick, cauldron, lantern, spellbook, cobwebs, coffin, mask, potion

Eerie Places and Settings

These locations create atmosphere and tension in spooky stories and activities.
Haunted house, graveyard, dark forest, dungeon, attic, basement, corn maze, haunted mansion, abandoned cabin

These nouns give you everything you need to start shaping memorable Halloween scenes, whether silly, spooky, or somewhere in between.

Halloween Adjectives: Words That Create Atmosphere

Adjectives bring Halloween scenes to life by adding mood, tone, and texture. Whether you want something lightly spooky for kids or deeper, dramatic language for storytelling, these words help you shape the feeling of the season.

Spooky Descriptions

These adjectives are ideal for eerie stories or atmospheric scenes.
Eerie, haunted, shadowy, chilling, ghostly, sinister, spectral, darkened, mysterious

Fun and Child-Friendly Halloween Words

Perfect for classroom activities, younger readers, or light-hearted Halloween themes.
Spooky, silly, playful, pumpkin-filled, candy-coated, glowing, colorful

Dramatic Adjectives for Writers

These add intensity and depth to more serious Halloween writing.
Sinister, foreboding, ghastly, ominous, dread-filled, nightmarish, unsettling

Adjectives like these help you instantly shift the tone—whether you’re aiming for something cute and fun or something that sends a chill down the spine.

Halloween Verbs: Actions of the Season

Verbs add movement and energy to Halloween writing. They show what characters are doing, how scenes unfold, and what makes the holiday feel alive. Whether you’re describing traditions, spooky moments, or classroom activities, these verbs help drive the action.

Activities and Traditions

These verbs capture the excitement and rituals of Halloween night.
Trick-or-treating, carving, decorating, dressing up, celebrating, gathering, lighting, exploring

Spooky Storytelling Verbs

Perfect for creating suspense, tension, or supernatural moments.
Lurking, creeping, howling, shrieking, vanishing, haunting, stirring, slithering

Party and Classroom Verbs

Great for hands-on activities and creative play.
Crafting, pretending, acting, building, painting, sharing

These verbs bring Halloween scenes to life, helping readers imagine movement, sound, and emotion throughout the story or activity.

Halloween Phrases and Expressions

Sometimes a short phrase captures the spirit of Halloween better than any single word. These expressions are perfect for stories, party invitations, classroom posters, social media captions, and themed activities.

Classic Halloween Sayings

These familiar phrases appear every October.
“Trick or treat,” “Happy Halloween,” “Boo,” “Beware,” “Enter if you dare”

Fun Phrases for Kids

Light-hearted and perfect for young learners or family-friendly projects.
“Too cute to spook,” “Spooky fun ahead,” “Little monster,” “Pumpkin pals”

Dramatic Phrases for Writers

Ideal for building tension or adding a cinematic feel to your writing.
“Shadows in the dark,” “The veil grows thin,” “A chill in the air,” “Something stirs beneath the moonlight”

These expressions help set the tone instantly—whether you’re aiming for festive fun or a touch of eerie mystery.

Words Associated with Halloween Food & Treats

Halloween wouldn’t feel complete without the sweets, seasonal flavors, and classic treats that define the holiday. These food-related words add sensory detail and fun to stories, classroom activities, and festive descriptions.

Candy and Sweets

These treats are the highlight of trick-or-treating and Halloween parties.
Candy corn, lollipops, chocolate bars, gummies, caramel chews, jawbreakers, sour candies

Seasonal Foods

Perfect for capturing the flavors and traditions of autumn.
Pumpkin pie, caramel apples, cider, roasted pumpkin seeds, popcorn balls

Descriptive Food Words

Use these to bring texture, taste, and aroma into your writing.
Sticky, sweet, crunchy, gooey, spiced, warm, sugary, rich

These words help you add sensory depth to Halloween scenes—whether you’re describing a party table, writing a seasonal story, or planning classroom activities centered around fall treats.

Kid-Friendly Halloween Vocabulary Lists

Halloween vocabulary doesn’t have to be scary. Many words associated with the holiday are fun, simple, and perfect for younger learners. These kid-friendly lists make great additions to spelling practice, reading exercises, writing prompts, and classroom games.

Simple Words for Younger Learners

These basic terms are easy for early readers to recognize and use.
Cat, bat, moon, mask, broom, spider, treat, hat, ghost, pumpkin

Classroom Word Banks

Ideal for worksheets, word searches, and themed assignments.
Costume, candy, lantern, zombie, skeleton, witch, night, monster, cobweb

Creative Writing Starters

A small word list to help kids build stories or describe their Halloween night.
Creepy, glowing, tiny, spooky, dark, funny, silly, magical, brave

These words keep Halloween fun, accessible, and age-appropriate while still giving kids room to explore imagination and seasonal themes.

How to Use Halloween Vocabulary in Writing & Teaching

Halloween words aren’t just fun to read—they’re incredibly useful for sparking creativity and helping students or writers build rich, atmospheric scenes. Whether you’re preparing a lesson plan or crafting a spooky story, these ideas show how to put Halloween vocabulary to work.

For Writers

Halloween words help set tone, mood, and pacing.

• Use descriptive nouns and adjectives to create eerie or playful settings.
  
• Build tension with spooky verbs like lurking, creeping, or howling.
  
• Shape characters and scenes with vivid phrases that evoke mystery or fun.
  

For Teachers

Seasonal vocabulary makes learning feel fresh and engaging.

• Create themed word searches, flashcards, and spelling lists.
  
• Introduce Halloween vocabulary in reading passages or writing prompts.
  
• Use word banks to support ESL/ELL students during seasonal lessons.
  

For Parents & Creators

Halloween words can inspire hands-on activities and imaginative play.

• Build scavenger hunts using kid-friendly Halloween terms.
  
• Encourage children to write short stories or draw scenes based on word lists.
  
• Add fun phrases to crafts, decorations, or costume planning.
  

Halloween vocabulary isn’t just seasonal—it’s a tool for creativity, comprehension, and storytelling across all ages and settings.

FAQ: Halloween Words