festoon

[ fe-stoon ]

noun

1. a string or chain of flowers, foliage, ribbon, etc., suspended in a curve between two points.
2. a decorative representation of this, as in architectural work or on pottery.
3. a fabric suspended, draped, and bound at intervals to form graceful loops or scalloped folds.
4. Dentistry. the garlandlike area of the gums surrounding the necks of the teeth.

verb (used with object)

1. to adorn with or as with festoons:

   to festoon a hall.

2. to form into festoons:

   to festoon flowers and leaves.

3. Dentistry. to reproduce natural gum patterns around the teeth or a denture.
4. to connect by festoons.

festoon

/ fɛˈstuːn /

noun

1. a decorative chain of flowers, ribbons, etc, suspended in loops; garland
2. a carved or painted representation of this, as in architecture, furniture, or pottery
3. 1. the scalloped appearance of the gums where they meet the teeth
   2. a design carved on the base material of a denture to simulate this
4. 1. either of two Zerynthia species of white pierid butterfly of southern Europe, typically mottled red, yellow, and brown
   2. an ochreous brown moth, Apoda avellana the unusual sluglike larvae of which feed on oak leaves

verb

1. to decorate or join together with festoons
2. to form into festoons

Other Words From

• unfes·tooned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of festoon¹

1670–80; < French feston < Italian festone decoration for a feast, derivative of festa festa

Word History and Origins

Origin of festoon¹

C17: from French feston , from Italian festone ornament for a feast, from festa feast

Example Sentences

This spring, billions of cicadas across the eastern half of the U.S. will emerge from their multiyear slumber to festoon the trees and sing their loud songs.

From Slate

Found materials, including street signage rulers, ornithology illustrations and children’s drawings, festoon the canvas, mingling with hurried chalk annotations and prays of gestural brushwork resembling graffiti.

From New York Times

A UK-style red telephone booth sits on one corner, Norwegian flags festoon posts and staircases and a “Velkommen til Poulsbo!” mural and monstrous Viking invite day-trippers and weekend stays.

From Seattle Times

On the day after Thanksgiving, while the Bidens were still in Nantucket, the teams descended upon the White House, working through the weekend to festoon the halls with hand-pinned gumdrops, shape chicken wire into bough-covered arches, install crystal-studded nutcrackers on mantels, and hang a papier-mâché set of reindeer that soar above the Cross Hall and Grand Foyer.

From New York Times

Death and harrowing scenes of misery festoon these slow-motion tragedies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adorn
• deck
• drape
• hang
• swag
• trim