English edit

Etymology edit

From French festif, from Latin festivus (pertaining to a feast, gay, lively, joyous). Equivalent to feast +‎ -ive.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /ˈfɛstɪv/
  • (file)
  • Hyphenation: fes‧tive

Adjective edit

festive (comparative more festive, superlative most festive)

  1. Having the atmosphere, decoration, or attitude of a festival, holiday, or celebration.
    The room was decked out in festive streamers, with flowers everywhere.
  2. In the mood to celebrate.
    Please put the Christmas decorations away, I'm really not in a festive mood.

Synonyms edit

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

French edit

Adjective edit

festive

  1. feminine singular of festif

Italian edit

Adjective edit

festive

  1. feminine plural of festivo

Latin edit

Etymology edit

From fēstīvus (joyous, festive; pleasing), from fēstus (feast-like; festive).

Adverb edit

fēstīvē (not comparable)

  1. agreeably, pleasantly, delightfully
  2. humorously, facetiously, wittily

Related terms edit

References edit

  • festive”, in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  • festive”, in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
  • festive in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire illustré latin-français, Hachette