Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

festivity

[fe-stiv-i-tee]
See more synonyms for festivity on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural fes·tiv·i·ties.
  1. a festive celebration or occasion.
  2. festivities, festive events or activities: the festivities of Christmas.
  3. festive character or quality; gaiety; merriment.
Show More

Origin of festivity

1350–1400; Middle English festivite (< Old French) < Latin fēstīvitās. See festive, -ity
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for festivity

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • And thus evaporates the last vestige of the dragoon's Christmas festivity.

  • He had expected some sort of festivity after the performance, but there was none.

    The Foolish Lovers

    St. John G. Ervine

  • Like Rose, he had died suddenly, a year later, on a day of festivity.

    Fruitfulness

    Emile Zola

  • They come upon us like some dire disaster in a time of festivity.

    Barrington

    Charles James Lever

  • He was, as a matter of fact, just returning from a night of festivity at the Nobility Club.

    The Genius

    Margaret Horton Potter

British Dictionary definitions for festivity

festivity

noun plural -ties
  1. merriment characteristic of a festival, party, etc
  2. any festival or other celebration
  3. (plural) festive proceedings; celebrations
Show More
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

Word Origin and History for festivity

n.

late 14c., from Old French festivité, from Latin festivitatem (nominative festivitas) "good fellowship, generosity," from festivus "festive," from festum "festival or holiday," neuter of festus "of a feast" (see feast). Related: Festivities.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper