festive

[ fes-tiv ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or suitable for a feast or festival:

   festive decorations; a festive meal.

2. joyous; merry:

   a festive mood.

festive

/ ˈfɛstɪv /

adjective

1. appropriate to or characteristic of a holiday, etc; merry

Derived Forms

• ˈfestiveness, noun
• ˈfestively, adverb

Other Words From

• festive·ly adverb
• festive·ness noun
• non·festive adjective
• non·festive·ly adverb
• non·festive·ness noun
• sub·festive adjective
• sub·festive·ly adverb
• sub·festive·ness noun
• un·festive adjective
• un·festive·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of festive¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin festīvus “merry, lively, joyous,” equivalent to festus “festal” + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of festive¹

C17: from Latin festīvus joyful, from festus of a feast

Example Sentences

Looking for a festive show for the holiday season full of heartwarming family feeling?

From Los Angeles Times

As we hurtle towards Mariah Carey's most lucrative holiday, families all over the UK will be pressing play on Christmas films such as Love Actually to get themselves into the festive spirit.

From BBC

And the on-screen family from sitcom Outnumbered will reunite for a sketch, ahead of their own forthcoming festive special.

From BBC

But whereas Splash Mountain was about ramping up the tension — turning fear into fun — Tiana’s wants to use its hair-raising drops for something that feels more festive.

From Los Angeles Times

Taken as a whole, advertisers are set to spend a record £10.5bn this festive season, according to the Advertising Association and World Advertising Research Centre.

From BBC

Related Words

• cheery
• chipper
• convivial
• gala
• happy
• hearty
• jovial
• joyful
• joyous
• jubilant
• lighthearted
• merry
• peppy
• upbeat