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• trick or treat
  trick or treat

  noun

  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
  trick-or-treat

  verb (used without object)

  to become involved or take part in trick or treat.

trick or treat

¹ 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.

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trick-or-treat ² American  

[trik-er-treet] / ˈtrɪk ərˈtrit /

verb (used without object)

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

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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

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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]

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• trick-or-treater
  noun

Etymology

Origin of trick or treat¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Origin of trick-or-treat²

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

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

From BBC • Oct. 25, 2024

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

From Washington Times • Oct. 29, 2023

Allowing teens to trick or treat, giving them candy when they ask for it at your door, permits them to have fun without mischief, to run around in the dark for one night without fear.

From Salon • Oct. 23, 2022

For access to the hayride, trick or treat, Midnight Mortuary and Dead End Diner area, the cost is $39.99.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 7, 2021

“Oh, darn,” she says before Mitch even has a chance to say trick or treat.

From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy