festoon

American  

[fe-stoon] / fɛˈstun /

noun

1. a string or chain of flowers, foliage, ribbon, etc., suspended in a curve between two points.

2. a decorative representation of this, as in architectural work or on pottery.

3. a fabric suspended, draped, and bound at intervals to form graceful loops or scalloped folds.

4. Dentistry. the garlandlike area of the gums surrounding the necks of the teeth.

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verb (used with object)

1. to adorn with or as with festoons.

   to festoon a hall.

2. to form into festoons.

   to festoon flowers and leaves.

3. Dentistry. to reproduce natural gum patterns around the teeth or a denture.

4. to connect by festoons.

festoon British  

/ fɛˈstuːn /

noun

1. a decorative chain of flowers, ribbons, etc, suspended in loops; garland

2. a carved or painted representation of this, as in architecture, furniture, or pottery

3. 1. the scalloped appearance of the gums where they meet the teeth

   2. a design carved on the base material of a denture to simulate this

4. 1. either of two Zerynthia species of white pierid butterfly of southern Europe, typically mottled red, yellow, and brown

   2. an ochreous brown moth, Apoda avellana the unusual sluglike larvae of which feed on oak leaves

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verb

1. to decorate or join together with festoons

2. to form into festoons

Other Word Forms

• unfestooned
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of festoon

1670–80; < French feston < Italian festone decoration for a feast, derivative of festa festa

Explanation

A festoon is a decorative string of flowers that you drape across a room, dropping in curves between support points. If you're decorating for Halloween, why not try a creatively spooky festoon of dried roses covered in cobwebs? Festoon probably comes from the Italian word festone, for "feast," and if you can imagine an Italian courtyard strung up with flowers and lanterns, then you have a sense of what it means to festoon a place. A noun or a verb, festoon can mean the decoration itself, or the work of putting it up. Festoons don't strictly have to be made of flowers, though they usually are. You can festoon with fabric too, or paper chains. Or cobwebs.

Example Sentences

If your social-worker friend envies your designer clothes, you don’t have to ditch your Prada for rags, but it’s probably better not to festoon your outfit with your biggest diamond.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

This spring, billions of cicadas across the eastern half of the U.S. will emerge from their multiyear slumber to festoon the trees and sing their loud songs.

From Slate • Apr. 14, 2024

Filaments of dust and gas festoon this star-forming region in a new infrared image from MIRI.

From Science Daily • Oct. 11, 2023

And by plant, I mean play, adorn and festoon the landscape with seasonal compositions that echo colorful detailing on the house.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 27, 2021

Flags festoon the theater’s heights, the red-and-gold pennant of Gens Taia snapping in the wind beside the black, diamond-emblazoned standard of Blackcliff.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Related Words

• adorn
• deck
• drape
• hang
• swag
• trim