festivity

noun

fes·​tiv·​i·​ty fe-ˈsti-və-tē How to pronounce festivity (audio)
fə-
plural festivities
Synonyms of festivitynext
1
: festival sense 1
2
: the quality or state of being festive : gaiety
3
: festive activity

Synonyms of festivity

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Examples of festivity in a Sentence

The decorations give the hall an air of festivity. The festivities will include a parade, a concert, and games for children. We enjoyed the New Year's Eve festivities.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Saturday’s festivities will include crafts, story time, a scavenger hunt and the chance to see hundreds of fish in their colorful new environment for the first time in months. — Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 The festivities started in 1841, and today’s visitors enjoy some of the same activities, like animal exhibitions and farm product demonstrations. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 4 Aug. 2026 The eclipse also coincides with the village’s annual patron saint festivities, when around 500 former residents return home. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 On the streets below, vendors are hawking bootleg merchandise as stragglers from the festivities color the sidewalks with blue-and-orange jerseys and hats. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for festivity

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of festivity was in the 15th century

Rhymes for festivity

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Browse Nearby Words

festive
festivity
festivous
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Cite this Entry

“Festivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/festivity. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

festivity

noun
fes·​tiv·​i·​ty fes-ˈtiv-ət-ē How to pronounce festivity (audio)
plural festivities
1
: festival sense 1
2
: the quality or state of being festive
3
: festive activity

More from Merriam-Webster on festivity

Nglish: Translation of festivity for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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