noun
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merriment characteristic of a festival, party, etc
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any festival or other celebration
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(plural) festive proceedings; celebrations
Etymology
Origin of festivity
1350–1400; Middle English festivite (< Old French ) < Latin fēstīvitās. See festive, -ity
Explanation
Festivity is a fancy word for “party” or “celebration.” It’s often plural, because everyone loves to party, as in all the holiday festivities that happen at the end of the year. The word festive describes balloons, fancy clothes, finger foods, and other things that go with celebrations. Likewise, a festivity is any kind of festive occasion. A birthday party, surprise party, graduation party, and Halloween party are all festivities. The word festivity shares a Latin root with the word feast. At festivities, people eat, drink, and are merry.
Vocabulary lists containing festivity
Mardi Gras: Fun
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Copper Sun
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"Allied with Green," Vocabulary from the short story
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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.
Instead, he said the sequence, titled Festivity, was inspired by Greek mythology and intended to be a celebration of diversity, adding his intention was not to "be subversive, nor to mock or to shock".
From BBC • Jul. 30, 2024
With the Cannes Lions International Festivity of Creativity underway, big ideas and bold campaigns are top-of-mind for many marketers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2018
The Planet Connections Theater Festivity, a monthlong arts festival, announced Tuesday that its opening-night event on June 14 has been moved to New York Theater Workshop, minus Mr. LaBute’s play.
From New York Times • May 19, 2015
These events are part of the Planet Connections Theater Festivity, a festival of more than 30 socially conscious productions, in which each show is paired with a nonprofit.
From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2012
Festivity, dancing, and singing are now the order of the day.
From The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead Vol. II by Frazer, James George, Sir
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.
