Word
fete
/ˈfeɪt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a public party or festival, usually held outside to raise money for a special purpose. You can often find games, food, and things to buy at these events.
n. an outdoor public function or festival, typically organised to raise funds for a local charity or community project. Often associated with traditional British village culture.
Examples
“The local school is holding a summer fete this Saturday.”
“The village fete featured a bake sale, a dog show, and several stalls selling handmade crafts to support the church roof fund.”
“Despite the sudden downpour, the annual garden fete continued under the marquees, with residents determined to reach their fundraising goal for the new community centre.”
Examples
simple
“The local school is holding a summer fete this Saturday.”
contextual
“The village fete featured a bake sale, a dog show, and several stalls selling handmade crafts to support the church roof fund.”
complex
“Despite the sudden downpour, the annual garden fete continued under the marquees, with residents determined to reach their fundraising goal for the new community centre.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “fete” in context.
Verb
01. fete attracts
“The garden fete attracts hundreds of visitors from neighboring towns.”
noun + verb
02. fete raises
“The fete raises thousands of pounds for local community projects.”
noun + verb
03. hold fete
“They decided to hold the fete in the church gardens this year.”
verb + noun
04. open fete
“A local celebrity was invited to officially open the fete at noon.”
verb + noun
05. organize fete
“The PTA worked hard to organize the fete and secure local sponsors.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. annual fete
“The annual fete is the village's biggest fundraising event of the year.”
adj + noun
07. charity fete
“We are organizing a charity fete to raise money for the local hospice.”
adj + noun
08. summer fete
“The school summer fete featured a bouncy castle and a coconut shy.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. highlight of fete
“The dog show was definitely the highlight of the fete.”
noun + prep + noun
10. proceeds from fete
“All proceeds from the fete will go toward repairing the roof.”
noun + prep + noun
11. in aid of the fete
“A raffle was held in aid of the fete's restoration fund.”
12. raise money at a fete
“They managed to raise money at a fete by selling homemade jams.”
Usage
Commonly used in British English; often paired with 'summer', 'village', or 'charity'.
Real-World Examples
“Ebrington’s traditional village fete and family dog show once again pulled in the crowds on Saturday providing a fun-filled afternoon in the sun for families of villagers and visitors alike.” “Summer fetes grew out of older British traditions of church feasts, parish “treats” and village fairs, and in Cumbria they’ve long been part of the way rural and small‑town communities raise funds and mark the warmest months of the year.” “It’s a sight that gladdens the heart at this time of year: hand-painted signs dotted around the country declaring that the local village fete is shortly to take place.” “Gorey Fete is a one-day event which included beach games, live music and fireworks.” Etymology
* The noun derives from French fête. Doublet of feast, fiesta, and fest. * The verb derives from French fêter.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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