festival

pronunciation

How to pronounce festival in British English: UK [ˈfestɪvl] word uk audio image

How to pronounce festival in American English: US [ˈfestɪvl] word us audio image

Noun:

a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
an organized series of acts and performances (usually in one place)

Word Origin

festival: festival: see feast

festival (n.): 1580s, "a festal day, appointed day of festive celebration," short for festival day (late 14c.), from Old French festival (adj.) "suitable for a feast; solemn, magnificent, joyful, happy," and directly from Medieval Latin festivalis "of a church holiday," from festum "festival, holiday" (see festivity). The English word returned to French 19c. in certain specialized senses.

Synonym

n.

fun felicity jollity sport revelry merriment revels merrymaking gaiety jollification rejoicing hilarity conviviality festivity

n.

celebration ritual feria day rite fiesta feast ceremony saint's holy commemoration observation

n.

doings fun games activities festivities and entertainment

n.

divertissement day refreshment occasion rejoicing red-letter of holiday jubilee amusement gala

n.

reception feast soiree repast get-together festivity gathering banquet symposium housewarming carnival revel party fete levee wassail reunion

Antonym

n.

weekday workday

Example

1. It opened the pusan international film festival in october .

2. Qingming is an annual festival where chinese honor the dead .

3. So the festival starts with fidelio , the prisoner 's opera .

4. Never has the festival been so appropriately begun .

5. Like san francisco , thailand has a vegetarian festival .

more: >How to Use "festival" with Example Sentences