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

• festiveness noun
• festively adverb
• 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

You can see it in the little rituals: call my mom before any major event — New Year’s Eve, the Super Bowl, or just a random December day that feels festive — and ask what she’s making.

Read more on Salon

Lower GST rates coincide with the beginning of a long festive season when Indians typically open their purse strings to buy everything from new cars to clothes.

Read more on BBC

It looks festive and feels special with almost no extra work.

Read more on Salon

The Blues are hopeful the 22-year-old could return in November, offering a boost for the busy festive period, after avoiding the need for surgery.

Read more on BBC

On Thursday morning, the shuttered diner was adorned with festive red, white and black balloons.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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