festivities

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'festivities' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to special social activities, such as parties, concerts, and other celebrations. Example sentence: The town was bustling with excitement in anticipation of the annual festivities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So extensive are the festivities that some people visit as many as seven or eight families a day.

The Guardian

The city of Cuenca has become the central place to watch and take part in these festivities, which symbolise the ousting of old grudges and bad habits as well as highlighting good memories.

The Guardian - Travel

And this aspect of the festivities is perfectly caught in The Worst Christmas of My Life, the three-part seasonal special tied to a brilliant sitcom, The Worst Week of My Life, written and directed by Mark Bussell and Justin Sbresni.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At the court of King Arthur, the winter festivities are disrupted by the arrival of a spectral green knight.

The Guardian - Books

Predictably, Saturday night's festivities gave way to the mother of all hangovers.

The Guardian - Sport

As Museveni reminded the audience, Kololo stadium – the site of the day's festivities – was also the site of the nation's genesis.

The Guardian

At some point during the Romney Fourth of July festivities at one of their Downton Abbeys, which included feebly trying to define his penal-tax problem, and jet-skiing fully clothed, Mitt and Ann Romney found some time to give yet another out-of-touchy-feely interview – this time, out of the Fox hole and with CBS news.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wellington will celebrate 150 years as a capital city with a week of festivities planned for July, and is to provide one of the venues (along with Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier and Nelson) for the ICC Cricket World Cup, which New Zealand is co-hosting with Australia from 14 February to 29 March.

The Guardian - Travel

One tycoon who may have downscaled tomorrow night's festivities is Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea football club.

The Guardian

Even though the band celebrates its 125th anniversary this year and is one of the best in the world, if not the best, festivities have been modest.

The Guardian - Music

To help you stock up on drinks for the festivities, we have searched out the best bargains Calais has to offer.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "festivities" to refer to a collection of celebratory events, especially those associated with a particular occasion or period.

Common error

Avoid using "festivities" to describe a single, isolated event; it's best used for a series or collection of celebratory activities.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "festivities" is as a plural noun, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that it is commonly used to refer to a collection of celebratory events or activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "festivities" is a plural noun frequently used to describe a collection of celebratory events or activities. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. With a neutral register, it's suitable for various contexts, from formal news reports to descriptions of cultural celebrations. Common synonyms include "celebrations", "celebratory events", and "holiday celebrations". When using "festivities", remember that it refers to multiple events, not a single occasion, and it is more appropriate when referring to a series of celebratory events or activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

celebrations

A direct synonym, generally interchangeable with "festivities" but potentially applicable to a broader range of events.

celebratory events

More descriptive and highlights the celebratory nature of the events in question.

holiday celebrations

More specific, indicating celebrations related to holidays.

merrymaking

Implies a more lighthearted and jovial atmosphere compared to "festivities".

jollifications

A less common and more whimsical alternative to "festivities".

carnivals

Suggests a specific type of public celebration with entertainment.

galas

Refers to formal and elaborate celebrations, often for charitable purposes.

pageants

Implies a more structured and performative celebration.

revelries

Suggests boisterous and unrestrained celebrations.

jubilees

Indicates celebrations of significant anniversaries or milestones.

FAQs

How can I use "festivities" in a sentence?

You can use "festivities" to refer to the events that happen at a festival or celebration. For example, "The town was bustling with excitement in anticipation of the annual festivities."

What are some synonyms for "festivities"?

Alternatives to "festivities" include "celebrations", "celebratory events", or "holiday celebrations", depending on the context.

Is "festivities" formal or informal?

"Festivities" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it's generally more common in formal writing or when referring to organized events.

What's the difference between "festivity" and "festivities"?

"Festivity" is the singular form, referring to a single celebratory event, while "festivities" is the plural form, referring to multiple or a series of celebratory events.