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festive. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
festive, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
festive in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
festive you have here. The definition of the word
festive will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
festive, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From French festif, from Latin festivus (“pertaining to a feast, gay, lively, joyous”). Equivalent to feast + -ive.
Pronunciation
Adjective
festive (comparative more festive, superlative most festive)
- Having the atmosphere, decoration, or attitude of a festival, holiday, or celebration.
The room was decked out in festive streamers, with flowers everywhere.
- In the mood to celebrate.
Please put the Christmas decorations away, I'm really not in a festive mood.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
having the atmosphere, decoration, or attitude of a festival, holiday, or celebration
French
Adjective
festive
- feminine singular of festif
Italian
Adjective
festive
- feminine plural of festivo
Latin
Etymology
From fēstīvus (“joyous, festive; pleasing”), from fēstus (“feast-like; festive”).
Adverb
fēstīvē (not comparable)
- agreeably, pleasantly, delightfully
- humorously, facetiously, wittily
References
- “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.