festive
adjective
fes·tive ˈfe-stiv 
1
: of, relating to, or suitable for a feast or festival
a festive occasion
The house looks festive during the holidays.
2
: joyful, gay
a festive mood
festively adverb
festiveness noun
Synonyms
- blithe
- blithesome
- gay
- gleeful
- jocose
- jocular
- jocund
- jolly
- jovial
- laughing
- merry
- mirthful
- sunny
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The house looks very festive during the holidays. She was in a festive mood. The reunion will be a festive occasion.
Recent Examples on the Web EggFest events bring together Big Green Egg grilling aficionados in a festive environment to cook on the grills and smokers. 
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Sep. 2022 This variety show features plenty of festive songs and performances, just in time for the holiday season. Joey Morona, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 Unlike many of the somber ceremonies that have taken place in the aftermath of the Queen’s death, the atmosphere among those waiting in line was, in some ways, a more festive affair. Time, 14 Sep. 2022 The outdoor stage at Starlight Square welcomes a festive Flamenco performance featuring current students, musicians, and guest performers from LS Flamenco School in Cambridge. Maya Homan, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2022 Build a tiered centerpiece for your festive holiday table. Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 14 Sep. 2022 In the fall issue, which is available now, the mother-son duo are all smiles gracing the cover — Todd in his orange football uniform and Ree styled in festive, orange earrings. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 Most families celebrate with a festive and symbolic erev Rosh Hashanah meal, and more observant families celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah at lunch or dinner on Monday and Tuesday. Joan Elovitz Kazan, Journal Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2022 In Detroit, the party series Jerk X Jollof mixes African and Caribbean music for a festive, fluorescent-lit bash. The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2022 See More
Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Sep. 2022 This variety show features plenty of festive songs and performances, just in time for the holiday season. Joey Morona, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2022 Unlike many of the somber ceremonies that have taken place in the aftermath of the Queen’s death, the atmosphere among those waiting in line was, in some ways, a more festive affair. Time, 14 Sep. 2022 The outdoor stage at Starlight Square welcomes a festive Flamenco performance featuring current students, musicians, and guest performers from LS Flamenco School in Cambridge. Maya Homan, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2022 Build a tiered centerpiece for your festive holiday table. Charlyne Mattox, Country Living, 14 Sep. 2022 In the fall issue, which is available now, the mother-son duo are all smiles gracing the cover — Todd in his orange football uniform and Ree styled in festive, orange earrings. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2022 Most families celebrate with a festive and symbolic erev Rosh Hashanah meal, and more observant families celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah at lunch or dinner on Monday and Tuesday. Joan Elovitz Kazan, Journal Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2022 In Detroit, the party series Jerk X Jollof mixes African and Caribbean music for a festive, fluorescent-lit bash. The Atlantic, 10 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin festivus, from festum
First Known Use
1613, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
festive
adjective
fes·tive ˈfe-stiv
1
: having to do with a feast or festival
2
: very merry and joyful
festive decorations
festive
adjective
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor we arrived at the Christmas party to find everyone already in a festive mood, perhaps owing in part to the punch Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- merry
- jolly
- cheerful
- lively
- joyful
- jovial
- sunny
- mirthful
- witty
- gleeful
- funny
- playful
- jocund
- laughing
- happy
- jocular
- bright
- humorous
- jocose
- amused
- blithe
- amusing
- blithesome
- joyous
- smiling
- cheery
- spirited
- delighted
- lighthearted
- gay
- animated
- upbeat
- exuberant
- blissful
- carefree
- jubilant
- buoyant
- jaunty
- ecstatic
- vivacious
- giggling
- perky
- peppy
- joking
- euphoric
- frisky
- chipper
- rapturous
- chuckling
- radiant
- hilarious
- gladsome
- beaming
- thrilled
- exultant
- riotous
- sprightly
- lightsome
- comical
- sportive
- zippy
- optimistic
- frolicsome
- high
- bouncing
- elated
- exhilarated
- overjoyed
- blessed
- enraptured
- easygoing
- rosy
- flippant
- comic
- tickled
- uproarious
- farcical
- hopeful
- jesting
- facetious
- cavalier
- ravished
- insouciant
- sanguine
- entranced
- unconcerned
- antic
- sprightful
- happy-go-lucky
- joshing
- blest
- sidesplitting
- devil-may-care
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- sad
- sorrowful
- blue
- melancholy
- glum
- unhappy
- forlorn
- dejected
- depressed
- dispirited
- disconsolate
- aggrieved
- downcast
- anguished
- abject
- despondent
- downhearted
- sombre
- mournful
- heartsick
- crestfallen
- somber
- lugubrious
- disheartened
- heartbroken
- dark
- crying
- moody
- gloomy
- doleful
- saddened
- weeping
- joyless
- wailing
- brokenhearted
- cheerless
- discontented
- bleak
- glum
- morose
- dismal
- black
- heavyhearted
- disgruntled
- plaintive
- dreary
- sobbing
- depressing
- grey
- woeful
- dolorous
- gray
- moaning
- low-spirited
- desolate
- lachrymose
- sullen
- sorry
- miserable
- groaning
- dull
- woebegone
- wretched
- sluggish
- saturnine
- comfortless
- listless
- lethargic
- torpid