Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
adjective
- pertaining to or suitable for a feast or festival: festive decorations; a festive meal.
- joyous; merry: a festive mood.
adjective
- appropriate to or characteristic of a holiday, etc; merry
1650s, “pertaining to a feast,” from Latin festivus “festive, joyous, gay,” from festum “festival, holiday,” noun use of neuter of adjective festus (see feast (n.)).
Meaning “mirthful” is attested by 1774. Unattested from 1651 to 1735; modern use may be a back-formation from festivity. Related: Festively; festiveness.