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Synonyms

festival

American  
[fes-tuh-vuhl] / ˈfɛs tə vəl /

noun

  1. a day or time of religious or other celebration, marked by feasting, ceremonies, or other observances.

    the festival of Christmas; a Roman festival.

  2. a periodic commemoration, anniversary, or celebration.

    an annual strawberry festival.

  3. a period or program of festive activities, cultural events, or entertainment.

    a music festival.

  4. gaiety; revelry; merrymaking.


adjective

  1. festal.

    a festival atmosphere of unrestrained joy.

festival British  
/ ˈfɛstɪvəl /

noun

  1. a day or period set aside for celebration or feasting, esp one of religious significance

  2. any occasion for celebration, esp one which commemorates an anniversary or other significant event

  3. an organized series of special events and performances, usually in one place

    a festival of drama

  4. archaic a time of revelry; merrymaking

  5. (modifier) relating to or characteristic of a festival

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • prefestival noun

Etymology

Origin of festival

1300–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin fēstivālis ( diēs ) holy (day). See festive, -al 1

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.

Authorities have in recent years attempted to revive the artform through festivals and the creation of the Libyan Film Institute in 2021.

From Barron's

Ahead of the ceremony, organisers will collaborate with Manchester City Council to stage a fringe festival, incorporating concerts, workshops and discussion panels.

From BBC

In New York, this month brings a wealth of opportunities to appreciate the fruits of these labors, principally at the Museum of Modern Art’s annual festival of film preservation, “To Save and Project.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Mason said she is thrilled with the festival’s selection of her film, just as she was by The Times chronicling the sleuths cracking the case in a front-page story in 2023, which the film highlights.

From Los Angeles Times

West Midlands Police tried to explain the lack of consultation away by saying it was out of respect for the Jewish festival days around the time the decision was being made.

From BBC