festum

festival, holiday

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Two smiling women raise glasses of sparkling juice beside a small celebration table decorated with flowers, a plain cake and a short strand of colorful bunting.

adjective

festive

FES-tiv/ˈfestɪv/

Suited to or expressing joyful celebration.

Etymology

festLatinfestival, holiday

+iveLatinhaving a quality or tendency

From festum, “holiday,” festive moved from “pertaining to a feast” to the cheerful mood associated with celebration. Its modern English use may be a back-formation from festivity.

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Related word entries

festive