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

Production recently wrapped in Detroit, Michigan, with a plan to release during the 2026 festive season after a festival run. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 8 May 2026

The festival is broken into two halves, with an Intermission Party in between, featuring festive food, creative opportunities, and music, offering a chance to mingle with the artists and fellow guests amid the beauty of the farm. —News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026

The delicious new shape leans into consumer demand for innovative textures and festive shapes, and follows the brand's success with the snowman shape last year. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 6 May 2026

Everyone was so relieved to see how bewildered everyone else was that the feeling in this place was almost festive. —James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 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