Trick Or Treat Definition & Meaning

Home » What Does Trick Or Treat Mean » Trick Or Treat Definition & Meaning

Maybe your like

  • American
  • British
  • Idioms
  • Other Word Forms
  • Etymology
  • Examples
    • trick-or-treat 1 American [trik-er-treet] / ˈtrɪk ərˈtrit /

    verb (used without object)

    1. to become involved or take part in trick or treat.

    trick or treat 2 American

    noun

    1. a children's Halloween custom, in which they call on neighbors, using this phrase, and threaten to play a trick if a treat is not given.

    trick or treat British

    1. the cry by children at Halloween when they call at houses, indicating that they want a present or money or else they will play a trick on the householder

    "Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 trick or treat Idioms

    1. A greeting by children asking for treats on Halloween and threatening to play a trick on those who refuse to give them. For example, The children went from house to house, shouting “Trick or treat!” [c. 1940]

    Other Word Forms

    • trick-or-treater noun

    Etymology

    Origin of trick-or-treat1

    First recorded in 1940–45

    Origin of trick or treat1

    First recorded in 1940–45

    Example Sentences

    Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

    They knock on doors saying “trick or treat” and “thank you”—learning how to ask and receive, establish trust and courtesy on both sides, and contribute to civic life.

    From The Wall Street Journal

    She recalls giving out 70 trick or treat bags to children out guising within half an hour one year.

    From BBC

    There is more than a trick or treat bag of candy to be consumed.

    From Los Angeles Times

    Perhaps you have a long walk around your neighborhood, so you get exercise while you trick or treat.

    From Salon

    Costumes, trick or treat, carved pumpkins and all that are festive.

    From Washington Times

    Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

    Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

    Tag » What Does Trick Or Treat Mean