festive

adjective

ˈfe-stiv How to pronounce festive (audio)
Definition of festivenext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of festive Another special-edition trip, the evening Holiday Magic Train, runs from late November through December, getting riders into the spirit of the season with cups of hot cocoa and festive music. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2026 As spooky season ramps up, this playful, glowing ghost serves as home decor that is both cozy and festive. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026 Retreat activities included beekeeping, outdoor dinners under festive string lights, and learning about OpenAI's latest tools and products. — Emily Forlini, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026 Enjoy a night of regional food and wine pairings, live entertainment and festive energy. — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for festive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for festive
  1. merry
  2. jolly
  3. cheerful
Adjective
  • Fortune’s intrepid tech editor, Alexei Oreskovic, and his merry band of reporters will carry on in my absence.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Last year, which marked the first holiday season for Epic Universe, merry decor was concentrated in its Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Ministry of Magic and Celestial Park sections.
    — Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of merry
Adjective
  • Both his suggestion and the jolly appreciation seem out of tune with the situation ‘far from home’, which may be a military manoeuvre involving mock battles and bayonet practice, or a preparation for actual combat.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
  • This plush captures its jolly mood with a big smile and a grinning sun across its belly (complete with sunglasses).
    — Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of jolly
Adjective
  • Perhaps a more cheerful outlet for such fears is to become more frequent farmers market shoppers before the season ends.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
  • But for Miller, creating a cheerful classroom isn’t about filling every available space.
    — Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheerful

Browse Nearby Words

festivals
festive
festivities
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Cite this Entry

“Festive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/festive. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on festive

Nglish: Translation of festive for Spanish Speakers

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