festive

adjective

fes·​tive ˈfe-stiv 

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for a feast or festival

a festive occasion

The house looks festive during the holidays.

2

: joyful, gay

a festive mood

festively adverb

festiveness noun

Synonyms of festive

• merry
• jolly
• cheerful

Examples of festive in a Sentence

The house looks very festive during the holidays.

She was in a festive mood.

The reunion will be a festive occasion.

Recent Examples on the Web

Typically, Jewish families will go to synagogue to pray and hear the traditional sounds of the shofar horn, followed by a festive meal with family and friends. — Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2026

Positioned as a collector’s release, the capsule is timed to land just ahead of the festive season, targeting Christmas morning, family portraits and holiday weekends. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 8 Sep. 2026

Thousands of union workers, their family members and supporters marched through the streets of industrial Wilmington on Monday, taking part in a Labor Day parade whose festive mood overshadowed their serious concerns about the future. — Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Tellingly, not one of these standout garments is plastered with logos, cheeky text, or some representational figure (festive or otherwise). — Jon Roth, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin fēstīvus "festal, fine, excellent, jovial, lively," from fēstum "feast day, festival, holiday" (noun derivative from neuter of fēstus "of a feast day, festal") + -īvus -ive — more at feast entry 1

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for festive

• restive
• congestive
• digestive
• suggestive

Kids Definition

festive

adjective

fes·​tive ˈfes-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for a feast or festival

2

: joyous, merry

festively adverb

festiveness noun