festive

[fes-tiv]

adjective

1. pertaining to or suitable for a feast or festival.

   festive decorations; a festive meal.

2. joyous; merry.

   a festive mood.

festive

/ ˈfɛstɪv /

adjective

1. appropriate to or characteristic of a holiday, etc; merry

Other Word Forms

• festively adverb
• festiveness noun
• nonfestive adjective
• nonfestively adverb
• nonfestiveness noun
• subfestive adjective
• subfestively adverb
• subfestiveness noun
• unfestive adjective
• unfestively adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of festive¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin festīvus “merry, lively, joyous,” equivalent to festus “festal” + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of festive¹

C17: from Latin festīvus joyful, from festus of a _feast

Example Sentences

Among the newer offerings: lesser-known regional specialties, festive favorites from diverse cultural traditions, and creative spins from celebrity chefs and bakers.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"While many people will be heading home to be with their loved ones, the sad reality is that many children like Kobi, and their families, will spend the festive season in hospital," she said.

Read more on BBC

Perhaps that’s because the festive meal holds so much symbolic importance, or that we rarely eat roast turkey with stuffing any other time of the year.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Pat returns to help Nigel when his dementia symptoms intensify, following an emotional evening at his festive film screening.

Read more on BBC

"The next test will be whether the momentum seen in second quarter can extend through the key festive trading period and into 2026-27."

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• cheery 
• chipper 
• convivial 
• gala 
• happy 
• hearty 
• jovial 
• joyful 
• joyous 
• jubilant 
• lighthearted 
• merry 
• peppy 
• upbeat