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.
Other examples are Kilian Paris campaigns for Eid and Ramadan in the Middle East, and the Jo Malone campaign for the festive season of Diwali in Southeast Asia. — Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026 After years of releasing festive singles each Christmastime, the singer will finally release her first-ever full-length holiday set. — Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2026 On September 16, following the AD PRO Design Dialogues summit in New York, attendees were invited to the new Andrée Putman Studio showroom for a festive sunset-hour cocktail party. — Ad Pro, Architectural Digest, 9 Oct. 2026 Live polka and other stage entertainment, as well as food options, contests and kids’ programming add to the festive vibe. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 8 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 14 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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