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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

Etymology

Origin of trick or treat¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Origin of trick-or-treat²

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trick or treat trick-or-treat

A mother of an autistic child says her son will be carrying a special blue bucket this year when he goes out to trick or treat this Halloween.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2023

On YouTube, a video on how to "shame" teens who try to trick or treat at your house has over 18,000 views.

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

Quintenz teaches them how to trick or treat on Halloween and organizes a mouthwatering international Thanksgiving where students arrive with dishes cooked at home.

From Washington Post ● Aug. 25, 2021

These earmuffs have saved me from screechy subway brakes, piercing flutes, gross Noah sounds, trick or treat yells, wishy-washy Deb, and mean Kiki.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari

Naturally, it now promotes potatoes as a trick-or-treat option—or “trick-or-tater,” as the association puts it—and suggests any number of Halloween-themed potato recipes, such as one for Devilish Potatoes, a twist on deviled eggs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

I’d spend hours rummaging through my trick-or-treat bucket, exchanging chocolates for sour candies with my friends.

From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2025

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

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

“Thank you,” I say, and catch up to the little kids, as if I planned to trick-or-treat with them through the rest of the building.

From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari