festive
gb/fˈɛstɪv/ us/fˈɛstɪv/
B1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
related to a celebration
connected to a holiday or celebration.
Usage pattern:
festive + [event/season/meal/occasion]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse festive (adjective) with festival (noun) or say *festival clothes* instead of festive clothes.
Synonyms
holiday (Often used before nouns in a similar way (holiday season), but less about mood.)
|
celebratory (More explicitly about marking an achievement or event.)
Antonyms
ordinary (Not special or connected to a celebration.)
|
everyday (Normal and not for a special occasion.)
Collocations
festive season
|festive holiday
|festive occasion
|festive celebration
|festive meal
|festive party
|festive event
|festive gathering
|festive weekend
|festive programme
Themes
holidays
|celebrations
|culture
Examples
- We’re planning a festive meal for New Year’s Eve.
- The town holds a festive parade every December.
- She bought some festive snacks for the holiday weekend.
Learner examples
- We had a festive dinner.
- It is a festive day.
adjective
B2
property
2
cheerful and full of fun
happy and lively like a party.
Usage pattern:
feel/seem/look festive; a festive + [mood/atmosphere]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse festive to mean simply 'happy'; it usually suggests a celebration or party context.
Synonyms
cheerful (More general; does not necessarily suggest a celebration.)
|
jolly (Often humorous or old-fashioned; strongly cheerful.)
Antonyms
somber (Serious and without celebration.)
|
gloomy (Unhappy and lacking lightness or fun.)
Collocations
festive mood
|festive spirit
|festive atmosphere
|festive vibe
|festive feeling
|keep it festive
|a festive crowd
|festive music
|festive laughter
|festive energy
Themes
emotions
|social_life
|celebrations
Examples
- The room felt festive as soon as the music started.
- Even with the rain, the crowd stayed festive and loud.
- He wasn’t in a festive mood after the long flight.
Learner examples
- The party was festive.
- I am in a festive mood.
adjective
B2
property
3
decorated for a celebration
decorated for a holiday or party.
Usage pattern:
festive + [decorations/lights/colors/outfit]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *festival lights* when they mean festive lights (decorations for a holiday).
Synonyms
decorative (Neutral; does not specifically suggest a holiday.)
|
seasonal (Linked to a time of year; often used for holiday-themed items.)
Antonyms
plain (Simple and not decorated.)
|
austere (Intentionally simple and without ornament.)
Collocations
festive decorations
|festive lights
|festive colors
|festive wreath
|festive display
|festive window
|festive table
|festive outfit
|festive sweater
|festive packaging
Themes
home
|holidays
|design
Examples
- They put up festive lights along the balcony.
- The café’s windows looked festive with paper stars and garlands.
- She wore a festive sweater to the office party.
Learner examples
- The street is festive with lights.
- I bought a festive sweater.
Grammar
Dictionary form
festive
IPA
GB/fˈɛstɪv/
US/fˈɛstɪv/
Syllables & stress
fest - ive (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fest)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: festive
Word family
Core family
festival
noun A2
Related words
festivity
noun
festively
adverb
Expressions
a festive atmosphere
1/ə fˈɛstɪv ˈætməsfˌɪɹ/
fixed phrase
celebratory mood in a place
a place feels like a celebration.
Examples
- Candles and music created a festive atmosphere.
- The market has a festive atmosphere in December.
- They kept the lights low but still managed a festive atmosphere.
festive cheer
1/fˈɛstɪv t͡ʃˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
holiday happiness and friendliness
happy feelings at holiday time.
Examples
- They volunteered at the shelter to spread festive cheer.
- A few small gifts added some festive cheer to the evening.
- The advert tries to capture festive cheer.
festive decorations
1/fˈɛstɪv dˌɛkɚˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
holiday decorations
decorations for a holiday or party.
Examples
- They put up festive decorations the first weekend of December.
- The store sells festive decorations and wrapping paper.
- We kept the festive decorations simple this year.
festive spirit
1/fˈɛstɪv spˈɪɹɪt/
fixed phrase
feeling of celebration and goodwill
the happy feeling people have at holiday time.
Examples
- The office party helped everyone get into the festive spirit.
- She wasn’t really in the festive spirit this year.
- Music and lights can bring on the festive spirit.
in a festive mood
1/ˈɪn ə fˈɛstɪv mˈud/
fixed phrase
feeling like celebrating
feeling happy and ready to celebrate.
Examples
- I’m not in a festive mood tonight, so I’ll skip the party.
- After the good news, everyone was in a festive mood.
- He tried to act upbeat, but he wasn’t in a festive mood.
the festive season
1/ðə fˈɛstɪv sˈizən/
fixed phrase
holiday period, especially Christmas
the holiday time around Christmas and New Year.
Examples
- Hotels get fully booked during the festive season.
- Many shops extend their opening hours in the festive season.
- She goes home to see her family every festive season.