festive

adjective

fes·​tive ˈfe-stiv 

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

• blithe
• blithesome
• gay
• gleeful
• jocose
• jocular
• jocund
• jolly
• jovial
• laughing
• merry
• mirthful
• sunny

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

At one seasonal gathering at a leaky Belgian castle several years ago, about 60 showed up for a festive lunch and most were there until past midnight. —Louis J. Esterhazy, WWD, 8 Dec. 2024

As the festive season rolls in, feel free to be generous with your corporate giving. —John Hall, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

This beloved holiday tradition features festive music, choral and dance ensembles performing with the Pops, as well as Broadway legend Norm Lewis. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 8 Dec. 2024

On Saturday, the palace released the image selected for the festive greetings card, which was taken earlier this year by Millie Pilkington. —Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin festivus, from festum

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

festive

adjective

fes·​tive ˈfes-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or suitable for a feast or festival

2

: joyous, merry

festively adverb

festiveness noun