Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Of, relating to, or appropriate for a feast or festival.
- adjective Merry; joyous.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Pertaining to or befitting a feast or festival; joyous; gay.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective Pertaining to, or becoming, a feast; festal; joyous; gay; mirthful; sportive.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective Having the
atmosphere ,decoration , orattitude of afestival ,holiday , orcelebration . - adjective In the mood to
celebrate .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective offering fun and gaiety
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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And the new mansions are festooned in festive cream-yellows and shadowed by elaborate gables, and have walls cut with huge swoops of custom-made windows that arc across the front of the house, and big white Greek columns placed out front holding up nothing in particular.
The Post Of Mystery (To Most Of You, Anyway) joegrossberg 2006
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Why yes; with November 5th safely out of the way, my self-imposed moratorium on all things festive is lifted and we are free to celebrate the countdown to Christmas: 41 shopping days to go!!!
…clearing a room without saying a word « Sven’s guide to… 2005
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The priest may wear a rose-colored chasuble, the organ may play, deacon and subdeacon are clothed in festive vestments.
03/01/2003 - 04/01/2003 John 2003
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Ever since the Swedish Academy made public its decision, I have lived in festive intoxication, an enchanting topsy-turvy, and I cannot illustrate its consequences on my mind and soul better than by pointing to a pretty and curious love poem by Goethe.
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The spacious galleries were crowded to suffocation by beautiful Southern belles in festive attire.
Hagar's Daughter: A Story of Southern Caste Prejudice Pauline Elizabeth 1902
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It being now what is usually called the festive season -- possibly because at this period of the year a greater number of people are suffering from hunger and cold than at any other time -- the reader will not be surprised at being invited to another little party which took place on the day after the one we have just left.
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists Robert Tressell 1890
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I am sometimes half inclined to seek, in festive mirth, a refuge form thought and reflection.
The Coquette, or, The History of Eliza Wharton: A Novel Founded on Fact 1797
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Some may raise an eyebrow or two at the word festive in a month of holy piety but in truth, there is a special ambiance about Ramadan that is hard to compare to other months.
Jewaira's Boudoir 2008
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Since we enjoy socializing in festive evenings like New Years, we’ve had good luck in going to the nicest and largest hotels in the area were there is live danceable music, cocktails and party favors are readily available.
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Since we enjoy socializing in festive evenings like New Years, we’ve had good luck in going to the nicest and largest hotels in the area were there is live danceable music, cocktails and party favors are readily available.
kamtsatka commented on the word festive
I just learnt this word this week.
November 16, 2008