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.
If anything, the halal cart and newsstand guys say business has been a bit slower than normal, though standard for a festive weekend. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 4 July 2026 Frank Capra’s Christmas classic is repeatedly voted Britain’s favourite festive film for a reason. — Lea Tran, TheWeek, 8 July 2026 Swift gave her friends — including Hadid and model Martha Hunt — matching Fourth of July outfits that made the event feel even more festive. — Joyann Jeffrey, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026 Perfumes Holy Berry Extrait de Parfum Holy Berry is a festive mix of red berries, oud, strawberry milk, and vanilla. — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 6 July 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 10 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on festive

Nglish: Translation of festive for Spanish Speakers

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