festive

adjective

fes·​tive ˈfe-stiv How to pronounce festive (audio)
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

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 For Libran, the challenge was taking on a festive design that would also read elevated and not too costumey. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023 Available in cranberry and white versions, each tumbler has a glimmering, festive design in either silver or gold. Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2023 The center will be shimmering with firefly lights in the trees and festive decor. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Nov. 2023 Start by punching festive designs into double-sided adhesive sheets—make snowflakes, trees, and more. Emily Vanschmus, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Nov. 2023 Maryland Club, Late 1864 The MEMBERS are no longer so festive. Anna Deavere Smith, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2023 No need to wait until Black Friday to fill your cart with practical products, giftable goodies, and festive decor: Amazon’s holiday hub is already brimming with markdowns. Clara McMahon, Peoplemag, 10 Nov. 2023 Foliage colors — natural greens, yellows, and reds — are festive and fill us with feel-good feelings, setting the right tone during the holiday season. Dominique Fluker, Essence, 9 Nov. 2023 Fans can expect special surprise-and-delight moments like a festive oversized game, a custom Hallmark Channel light-up marquee, and even a twinkling Christmas light ceiling! Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'festive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin festivus, from festum

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of festive was in 1613

Dictionary Entries Near festive

Cite this Entry

“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/festive. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

festive

adjective
fes·​tive ˈfes-tiv How to pronounce festive (audio)
1
: of, relating to, or suitable for a feast or festival
2
festively adverb
festiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on festive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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