festive
pronunciation
How to pronounce festive in British English:
UK [ˈfestɪv]
How to pronounce festive in American English:
US [ˈfɛstɪv]
-
- Adjective:
- offering fun and gaiety
Word Origin
- festive (adj.)
- 1650s, "pertaining to a feast," from Latin festivus "festive, joyous, gay," from festum "festival, holiday," noun use of neuter of adjective festus (see feast (n.)). The word is unattested in English from 1651 to 1735 (it reappears in a poem by William Somervile, with the sense "fond of feasting, jovial"), and the modern use may be a back-formation from festivity. Meaning "mirthful, joyous" in English is attested by 1774. Related: Festively; festiveness. When the Day crown'd with rural, chaste Delight Resigns obsequious to the festive Night; The festive Night awakes th' harmonious Lay, And in sweet Verse recounts the Triumphs of the Day. [Somervile, "The Chace"] Earlier adjectives in English based on the Latin word were festival "pertaining to a church feast" (late 14c.); festful "joyous" (early 15c.), festial "pertaining to a church feast" (early 15c.), festli "fond of festivity" (late 14c.).
Example
- 1. As a result , nuuk was in festive mood .
- 2. In winter , fairy lights , powered by a generator , give it a festive glow .
- 3. It ought to have been a festive week in belfast .
- 4. No wonder this week 's shanghai auto show is more festive than equivalent events in the west , which are being scaled back or canned altogether .
- 5. Several polling stations in kigali , the capital , were decorated in a festive manner for election day .