festive

adjective

fes·​tive ˈfe-stiv How to pronounce festive (audio)
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

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.
Even today, the dish retains these communal roots and is often the star of a big Sunday lunch or festive gathering of family and friends. Sofia Perez, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025 Both are extra-ticket affairs with special entertainment programming, festive foods and access to select attractions and characters. Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025 At the beginning of the day, Kardashian Barker shared a sweet post to her Instagram Story showing a bedroom floor covered in festive balloons. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 9 July 2025 On the festive side, venture investors and startup founders cheered a provision in the Trump tax and spending bill that broadens capital gains tax exemptions for stock sales at certain small businesses. Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for festive

Word History

Etymology

Latin festivus, from festum

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of festive was in 1613

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/festive. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

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
festively adverb
festiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on festive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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