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.
But it was 1986’s “A Smoky Mountain Christmas,” Parton’s down-home festive fable, that cemented her as a seasonal favorite.
From Salon ● Aug. 26, 2026
Fizzy, sugary drinks were sweet, festive and a nutritional black hole.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Yet, at the bustling Jantar Mantar itself, the atmosphere is often festive.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
Donaldson popped the question to Booysen on Christmas Day 2024 while they wore matching MrBeast-branded festive jumpers.
From BBC ● Jul. 22, 2026
The Odd Fellows’ band wheezed away, pumping out a steady supply of festive waltzes and marches that could be heard all over the grounds.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
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.
