festive

[fes-tiv] / ˈfɛs tɪv /

ADJECTIVE

decorated, celebratory

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cheery chipper convivial gala happy hearty jovial joyful joyous jubilant lighthearted merry peppy upbeat

WEAK

blithe bouncy carnival carnivalesque chirpy festal gay gleeful go-go grooving holiday jocund jolly juiced up jumping mirthful perky rocking snappy swinging zippy

Antonyms

STRONGEST

apathetic depressed lethargic miserable sad serious sorrowful troubled unhappy upset

WEAK

gloomy somber undecorated

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Overall, this round of action is thought to be the third-largest in top-flight history, with the two above it boosted by festive turnouts, including Harlequins' annual Big Game fixture drawing near-capacity crowds to Allianz Stadium.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Artists will be painting in some of the gardens, and if you wear a festive garden party hat, you’ll be entered in the club’s hat contest.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

“That’s quite concerning. Even the festive season isn’t really giving people the desire to spend as they did before.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

After taking a train home to her native Hebei province, Beijing resident Hua Lei told AFP she would observe a subdued festive season.

From Barron's • Mar. 4, 2026

“It is the day of the CAKE, so any sort of festive attire ought to be suitable. And they are only children, after all,” she thought.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Vocabulary lists containing festive

Joy To The Word: Christmas Terms

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Emotions on Display

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The Help

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