festoon
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /fɛˈstuːn/
KK: /fɛˈstun/
noun
Definition
A decorative chain or strip, often made of flowers or leaves, that hangs between two points.
Example
The room was beautifully decorated with a festoon of flowers for the wedding.
Conversation
Did you see the festoon decorations at the party last night?
Yes, they looked amazing and really added to the atmosphere!
I loved how they used flowers in the festoon to make everything feel more vibrant.
Definitely! It was such a nice touch for the event.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
garland
wreath
ornament
Antonyms
blight
scarcity
void
transitive verb
Definition
To decorate something by hanging ribbons, flowers, or other items in a curved shape.
Example
They decided to festoon the hall with colorful lights for the celebration.
Tense Forms
Past: festooned
Past Participle: festooned
Conversation
I was thinking about how we could festoon the living room for the party.
That sounds fun! What decorations do you have in mind?
Maybe some colorful streamers and lights to really festoon the space.
Root Explanation
Festoon is derived from the Italian word 'festone' (meaning a garland or festoon), which comes from 'festonare' (meaning to adorn with a festoon). The word describes the act of decorating with garlands or ribbons, typically in a celebratory manner.
Memory Tip
Imagine adorning a space with garlands or ribbons, as 'festoon' means to decorate in a festive way.
Visually Confused Words
testoon
stoon
lestodon
felstone