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

"Most of this year's festive adverts have fun at their heart - gnomes taking over Asda, a mystery whodunit at Waitrose, the welcome return of Kevin the Carrot at Aldi," said retail expert Catherine Shuttleworth.

From BBC

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

"We know people get quite excited about the festive adverts. It's a marker in people's years and has become part of that Christmas countdown."

From BBC

The festive season is getting under way again, and so too is the battle of the Christmas adverts.

From BBC

Meanwhile, Asda's festive advert features a team of garden gnomes who rise up from the snow to save Christmas.

From BBC

Related Words

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