rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryfestiveCelebratory
adjective

festive

FES-tiv/ˈfestɪv/

Suited to or expressing joyful celebration.

The women raise glasses beside a festive cake and flowers.

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.
Etymology
festLatinfestival, holiday
+iveLatinpertaining to

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.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain191:25
we are to strew the city with flowers and Adorn it as for a festive celebration
Alexander the Great Biography (Audiobook)

More examples

  • The room looked festive.
  • They wore festive clothes.
  • Music created a festive mood.

Forms

festive

festivity noun — joyful celebration

Similar words

celebratory
Directly expresses celebration.
cheerful
Happy without necessarily a special occasion.