festivity

festivity — noun

1. the enjoyable events such as parties, special meals, and gatherings that people

1.名詞B1
釋義

the enjoyable events such as parties, special meals, and gatherings that people arrange to mark an important day or occasion

例句

Andrés and Inês planned their wedding festivities around a garden reception with live music.

plural form: wedding festivities

Linh helped organize the New Year festivities at the community centre last January.

同義詞
  • celebration

    Broader term that can refer to any expression of joy; 'festivities' specifically implies organised social events.

  • revelry

    More intense, often suggesting loud, lively, and slightly wild celebration; 'revelry' is less common in everyday speech.

  • merriment

    Focuses on the cheerful laughter and enjoyment rather than the organised activities; slightly old-fashioned.

  • gaiety

    Emphasises a light-hearted, bright, playful atmosphere; more literary in tone.

反義詞
  • solemnity

    A serious, formal, or dignified mood that is the opposite of celebratory activity.

  • quiet

    Absence of noise and activity that contrasts with the lively nature of festivities.

文法句型

festivities of [event]

the festivities

用法筆記

Usually appears in the plural form 'festivities' when referring to multiple celebratory events. The singular is rare in this sense and is typically used when referring to the overall festive programme as a single concept.

常見錯誤

❌We attended the Chinese New Year festival at the community centre.' (when you mean the celebratory activities)
✅We attended the Chinese New Year festivities at the community centre.
💡'Festival' names the whole event; 'festivities' refers to the celebratory activities and parties within or around it.
❌The festivity will start at 6 p.m.' (singular for a programme of events)
✅The festivities will start at 6 p.m.
💡In sense 1, use the plural form when referring to a series of celebratory events.

2. the happy, excited, and lively feeling that fills a place or group when people a

2.名詞B2
釋義

the happy, excited, and lively feeling that fills a place or group when people are celebrating together

例句

The festivity in the hall was so contagious that the shyest guests joined the dancing.

uncountable — a general atmosphere

Rania felt the festivity in the air as soon as she stepped into the carnival.

同義詞
  • celebration

    Can also describe the joyful feeling, but 'celebration' is countable ('a celebration') while 'festivity' in this sense is uncountable.

  • jollity

    A cheerful, good-humoured mood; slightly old-fashioned and less common than 'festivity'.

  • cheerfulness

    More general and less tied to a specific celebratory occasion than 'festivity'.

反義詞
  • gloom

    A state of sadness or depression that contrasts with the happy, bright feeling of festivity.

  • gloominess

    Similar to gloom but emphasises the atmosphere or mood of a place.

文法句型

festivity + of [event/occasion]

air/mood/spirit of festivity

festivity + in/among [group or place]

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense is uncountable and never takes the plural form. Frequently found in phrases such as 'air of festivity', 'spirit of festivity', and 'mood of festivity'. Common in written and formal contexts rather than casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌There was a great festivity in the room.
✅There was great festivity in the room.
💡In sense 2, 'festivity' is uncountable and does not take the article 'a'.
❌The festivities in the air made everyone smile.' (using plural for atmosphere)
✅The festivity in the air made everyone smile.
💡Use the singular uncountable form when referring to the mood or atmosphere, not the activities.