fete

[ feyt, fet ]

noun

, plural fetes.

1. a day of celebration; holiday:

   The Fourth of July is a great American fete.

2. a festive celebration or entertainment:

   The ball was the greatest fete of the season.

3. a religious feast or festival:

   a fete lasting several days in honor of a saint.

verb (used with object)

, fet·ed, fet·ing.

1. to entertain at or honor with a fete:

   to fete a visiting celebrity.

2. to celebrate, laud, or acclaim:

   He was feted in the press and honored by fellow citizens.

fête

/ feɪt /

noun

1. a gala, bazaar, or similar entertainment, esp one held outdoors in aid of charity
2. a feast day or holiday, esp one of religious significance
3. informal.
   an organized group entertainment, esp a party or a dance

verb

1. tr to honour or entertain with or as if with a fête

   the author was fêted by his publishers

2. informal.
   intr to join in a fête

Word History and Origins

Origin of fete¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from French fête “holiday, festival,” from Old French feste “feast”; feast

Word History and Origins

Origin of fete¹

C18: from French: feast

Example Sentences

For a corporate client who hosted 1,500-person holiday fetes before the pandemic, Tinsel Experiential Design in New York instead organized three separate events with two different concepts.

From Vox

She spent the day wandering around in shock until she could pop corks with her colleagues in a virtual fete.

From Popular-Science

The real hackers—whoever they may prove to be—had pulled off a feat: they ruined a Hollywood fete.

From The Daily Beast

The glamorous fete was followed by the premiere of the 4-hour miniseries Olive Kitteridge, which will premiere on HBO Nov. 2.

From The Daily Beast

The Fete Worse Than Death was an organizational disaster and a massive success.

From The Daily Beast

Thanks to the presence of blackface and KKK costumes, her offensive fete went viral and earner her instant infamy.

From The Daily Beast

Paris Hilton tried her hand at DJing in L.A. at a fete celebrating the release of her new single with Lil Wayne, "Good Time."

From The Daily Beast

At midsummer was to be a fete in the Saboba village, and the San Bernardino priest would come there.

From Project Gutenberg

Two or three times during the winter he gave a fete as a matter of social pride in return for the civilities he received.

From Project Gutenberg

Both were present at this fete given at the New Palace on the night of the 15th of July in their character of reporters.

From Project Gutenberg

Everybody wore rich apparel and was talking of the coming fete.

From Project Gutenberg

Next week, sometime, I am to have my promised lawn fete to introduce 53 the countryside to the new member of our household.

From Project Gutenberg