adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of festive
First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin festīvus “merry, lively, joyous,” equivalent to festus “festal” + -īvus -ive
Explanation
Festive describes an event that’s full of joy, smiles, and excitement. A birthday party without presents, decorations, or friends would be the opposite of festive. People having a great time — that’s a sure sign that the occasion is festive. An awesome party, New Year’s Eve, the last day of school, Fridays: happy times where the air feels electric, that’s festive. It can also describe your mood, like when you feel full of energy and ready to dance. Sharing the same Latin root (festivus) as the words festival and feast, festive events often involve good food and great people. And a piñata always helps.
Vocabulary lists containing festive
Joy To The Word: Christmas Terms
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Emotions on Display
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The Help
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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.
The celebration came as new polling suggested many Americans may be in less of a festive mood.
From Salon • Jun. 14, 2026
In a festive atmosphere, the punters are seated on long tables with 50 down each side.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
"Our responsibility is to guarantee everyone a festive celebration that is calm and fully secure," a police spokesperson said.
From Barron's • May 30, 2026
“It kind of goes hand in hand with the type of work I do, because my stuff is really festive, celebrating culture. And just as an L.A.-based artist, I think the collaboration made sense.”
From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026
They came hurrying out, rubbing their eyes in excitement, for any kind of surprise in food was a rare and festive thing in the cold dead of winter.
From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien
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.
