English Reference

Word

festival

Phoneticsfes·ti·val

US/ˈfɛstəvəɫ/

UK/fˈɛstɪvəl/

Definitions

01cultural or arts event

A1

n. a series of special events, like concerts or films, that happen in one place over a few days.

n. an organized series of performances, exhibitions, or events centered on a specific theme or artistic discipline.

“We bought tickets for the summer music festival held in the park.”

“The international film festival attracts directors and critics from around the globe, transforming the quiet coastal town into a bustling cultural hub for two weeks.”

02religious or traditional celebration

A2 · Religion

n. a special day or period when people celebrate a religious or traditional event.

n. a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration, often of religious or historical significance.

“Diwali is a major Hindu festival known as the festival of lights.”

“The harvest festival remains a vital tradition in many rural communities, serving as a time for collective gratitude and social gathering after the crops are secured.”

Synonyms

feastholy dayobservance

03Jamaican fried bread

C2 · Cooking

n. a type of sweet, fried cornbread from Jamaica.

n. a traditional Jamaican fried dumpling made from cornmeal and flour, typically served as a side dish with fish.

“We ordered fried fish with a side of festival at the beach stall.”

“The vendor specialized in escovitch fish served alongside perfectly golden festival, a staple of Jamaican seaside cuisine.”

Dialect

Synonyms

dumplingcornbread

Etymology

From Middle English festival (adjective), from Old French festival (“festive”), from Late Latin fēstīvālis, from Latin fēstīvus (“festive”). By surface analysis, festive + -al. Displaced native Old English frēols. The noun is shortened from festival day, from Middle English festival dai, festiuall day (“feast day, festival”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Collocations

festival called

This entry

Level
A1 · Beginner
Frequency
Common
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference