festive

adjective

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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It was also realized that having festive crowds enjoying the sight of a someone being killed was unseemly, exposing the base instincts that lie within us. — Dr. Michael Good, Hartford Courant, 22 Oct. 2026 From time-saving kitchen gadgets and food warmers to festive serving platters, Thanksgiving table decorations and clever ways to store leftovers, there are plenty of products that can help make the holiday feel a little less stressful. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 These festive accents are perfect for embracing the haunted spirit of the season. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 22 Oct. 2026 Selfridges London is also hosting the Downtown Café with a backdrop of illuminated skyscrapers, festive scenes in every window and a subway carriage to dine in. — Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for festive

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of festive was in 1613

Rhymes for festive

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Browse Nearby Words

festival seating
festive
festivity
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Cite this Entry

“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/festive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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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
: joyous, merry
festively adverb
festiveness noun
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