Are you writing a horror novel that has a Halloween setting? This post will help you! In it, we demonstrate how to describe Halloween in writing. Read on to learn more!
1. Spooky
Definition
- Weird, unusual, or abnormal.
- Suggesting apparitions or spirits.
Examples
“My old house felt extra spooky around Halloween; I always wondered if I would ever see a ghost.”
“All of the hanging ghost decorations made the town look spooky for Halloween.”
How it Adds Description
Because a spook is another word for a ghost, spooky is one of the most common words used to describe Halloween. It suggests that ghosts might be floating around. You can also use spooky to suggest an atmosphere of the strange or unexplained.
2. Creepy
Definition
- Creating an uneasy chilling anxiety; eerie.
- Weirdly repulsive.
- Related to the slow, uneasy movement of an animal, usually an insect.
Examples
“She bought the creepiest decorations she could for the Halloween party.”
“The Halloween music was so creepy that it gave me goosebumps.”
How it Adds Description
Creepy is a visceral, sensory word; readers can feel the insects moving up their skin and just saying creepy or imagining it gives a person goosebumps. Use it when you want to suggest that something strange is about to happen or is causing the characters to feel uneasy and out of sorts.
3. Disguised
Definition
Wearing clothes and accessories that mask the real appearance.
Examples
“The disguised kids ran from door to door, asking for candy.”
“He blended in with the disguised crowd heading to the downtown Halloween party; nobody would know he was there.
How it Adds Description
Halloween is all about wearing costumes and disguises so describing your Halloween scene as disguised allows the reader to picture a stereotypical Halloween scene. You might want to go into detail about some of the disguises, though, just to paint a full picture for the reader about what kind of costumes are in the scene, especially if one or two of them are important to the plot.
4. Peculiar
Definition
Strange, weird, unconventional, bizarre.
Examples
“The atmosphere this Halloween felt peculiar; she couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she knew something bad was going to happen.”
“Though he usually loved Halloween, this year the day felt peculiar and strange; he wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
How it Adds Description
If you want to just highlight the weird factor of Halloween, describe your scene or the events as peculiar. Halloween is often a time of peculiar events, so if you want to just grab your reader’s attention by pointing out things feel a bit ‘off,’ then peculiar is the way to go.
5. Occult
Definition
- Secretive, unknown.
- Of magical or supernatural origin.
Examples
“Halloween is often when we see more occult symbols graffitied in town.”
“He hated how much everyone associated Halloween with the occult; it was so much more than just some wizards brewing spells in a basement somewhere.”
How it Adds Description
Halloween is often a time of making known that which is usually hidden or unknown. Using occult to describe some of these symbols or actions suggests that they are created by magic or secret societies, usually with some sort of dark or malicious intent.
6. Enchanted
Definition
- Magicked or spelled.
- Charmingly delighted or upbeat.
Examples
“It was as if someone had enchanted Halloween this year; glitter practically hung in the air.”
“What an enchanted Halloween party! I much prefer a fairy tale masquerade ball over a classic haunted house any day.”
How it Adds Description
While the occult suggests malevolent forces with evil intent, enchanted refers to the lighter side of magic like fairies and good witches. If you want to show Halloween as more than just a scary holiday, then use enchanted to describe some of the costumes and attitudes of the trick-or-treaters.
7. Chaotic
Definition
Frantic disorder and commotion.
Examples
“Our street was absolutely chaotic with the number of trick-or-treaters we had for Halloween.”
“It was chaotic trying to organize a Halloween party for such a large number of people.”
How it Adds Description
Halloween is not a day for order and reason. The holiday is often automatically connected to the idea of disorder, so describing your events or the atmosphere as chaotic connects with that inherent sense of commotion we associate with Halloween. This is especially true if you are describing children trick-or-treating.
8. Ghoulish
Definition
- Related to spirits or ghosts.
- Related to dark or morbid humor.
Examples
“She couldn’t help but feel on edge while walking around on the ghoulish streets on Halloween.”
“The Halloween masks stared at him with ghoulish smiles; he felt like they would come alive at any moment.”
How it Adds Description
Ghoulish specifically relates to the appearance of evil or scary ghosts. If you want to dial up the scare factor of your Halloween scene, then describe the environment as ghoulish so readers are preparing for a shock or scare around every corner.
9. Macabre
Definition
- Related to death.
- Creating dread and fear.
Examples
“The macabre costume was covered in blood and guts; it was repulsive to look at but very appropriate for Halloween.”
“The Halloween party bent more towards the macabre; there was murder and mayhem everywhere.”
How it Adds Description
Halloween and the Day of the Dead are celebrated on the same day. Both are intricately connected to the idea of death and the dead. Macabre, as a describing word, taps into the bloody, horrible side of death, so use it to describe a Halloween scene in which ghosts are returning from horrible deaths to be avenged.
10. Superstitious
Definition
Illogical acts or beliefs that doing something seemingly unrelated will help to control the fate of the universe.
Examples
“Halloween always made her more superstitious than at any other time of the year.”
“He had the superstitious belief that leaving garlic in a pot outside his house would keep his safe every Halloween.”
How it Adds Description
Because Halloween is about the thinning of the spiritual veil, many people may have adopted beliefs or acts they commit to keep the more malicious, wicked beings at bay. Describing these actions as superstitious allows your reader to wonder if the actions or beliefs will actually protect them, since most superstitions are unfounded (but not all….).