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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

• trick-or-treater
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of trick or treat¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Origin of trick-or-treat²

First recorded in 1940–45

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trick or treat trick-or-treat

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

Some kids can't say "thank you" or "trick or treat" because they're non-speaking.

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

Everyone says our voice-and-trombone trick or treat sounds great.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari

Bolstering the blondies’ trick-or-treat bona fides was the fact that, after sharing them with co-workers, some dropped by asking for seconds, thirds and fourths.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 13, 2026

Earlier that day, at the trick-or-treat festival, Walker choked up and pointed toward a man walking down 2nd Street with his family.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2023

Sure, my trick-or-treat days may be long behind me, but that doesn't mean I don't enjoy my share of holiday candy every October.

From Salon ● Oct. 24, 2023

Bring your bucket or bag to the trick-or-treat stations, and you can fill up with tasty food, local brews and toasty beverages for purchase at the events tent.

From Seattle Times ● Oct. 17, 2023

“Wait, I know what I can do! I’ll trick-or-treat for you!”

From "Lucky Broken Girl" by Ruth Behar

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