ENGLISH
REFERENCE

festival

n. countable
A1 Beginner Oxford US //ˈfɛstəvəɫ// UK //fˈɛstɪvəl// fes·ti·val General-service

n. a special time or event when people celebrate something together. It often involves music, food, and traditional activities.

n. a period of celebration or a series of organized events, typically centered on a religious, cultural, or artistic theme.


SIMPLE

The city holds a film festival every summer.

CONTEXTUAL

Thousands of tourists visit the city during the annual winter festival to see the ice sculptures.

COMPLEX

While originally a religious observance, the modern festival has evolved into a secular celebration of local heritage and culinary traditions.

Synonyms
Origin

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”).

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'hold', 'host', or 'attend'.

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