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.
Christie’s estimates the large, rare tempera and gouache painting of a festive, folkloric Russian scene, which Kandinsky made in Paris, will fetch over $30 million. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 At a festive press conference, Moreno handed a sombrero to then-skipper Mike Scioscia to wear, then announced that the first order of business was to cut beer prices. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026 As a festive sendoff, Poehler and Thompson explained that the cast used to rush down from Studio 8H to wave goodnight to the audience from underneath the Rockefeller Christmas tree. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Sep. 2026 Bleary-eyed parents and children in festive outfits gathered to music, determined to celebrate the traditional start of the school year. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 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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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 4 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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