fete

/feɪt/

/feɪt/

Other forms: fetes; feted; feting

A fête is a party, often one thrown in someone's honor. You'll find fête used as both a verb and a noun. If you want to fête someone, throw them a fête.

Fête is a word taken directly from French. In fact, sometimes in English you'll see a circumflex accent over the first "e" in fête. This makes it especially easy to remember, because this accent looks almost like a party hat.

Definitions of fete

1. noun

   an elaborate party (often outdoors)
   synonyms: feast, fiesta

   types:

   luau

   an elaborate Hawaiian feast or party (especially one accompanied by traditional foods and entertainment)

   potlatch

   a ceremonial feast held by some Indians of the northwestern coast of North America (as in celebrating a marriage or a new accession) in which the host gives gifts to tribesmen and others to display his superior wealth (sometimes, formerly, to his own impoverishment)

   type of:

   party

   an occasion on which people can assemble for social interaction and entertainment
2. noun

   an organized series of acts and performances (usually in one place)
   synonyms: festival

   types:

   carnival

   a festival marked by merrymaking and processions

   Bacchanalia, Dionysia

   an orgiastic festival in ancient Greece in honor of Dionysus (= Bacchus)

   eisteddfod

   any of several annual Welsh festivals involving artistic competitions (especially in singing)

   film festival

   a cinematic festival that features films (usually films produced during the past year)

   jazz festival

   a festival that features performances by jazz artists

   Kwanza, Kwanzaa

   a festival featuring African-American culture; celebrated between Christmas and New Year

   Oktoberfest

   an autumn festival that involves merrymaking and drinking beer

   Saturnalia

   an orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn

   sheepshearing

   a festival held at the time sheep are normally sheared

   Royal National Eisteddfod

   an eisteddfod with competitions in music and drama and poetry and the fine arts

   Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras

   a carnival held in some countries on Shrove Tuesday (the last day before Lent) but especially in New Orleans

   type of:

   celebration, festivity

   any joyous diversion
3. verb

   have a celebration
   “They were feting the patriarch of the family”

   synonyms: celebrate

   types:

   jubilate

   celebrate a jubilee

   jollify, make happy, make merry, make whoopie, racket, revel, wassail, whoop it up

   celebrate noisily, often indulging in drinking; engage in uproarious festivities

   party

   have or participate in a party

   receive

   have or give a reception

   rave

   participate in an all-night techno dance party

   carouse, riot, roister

   celebrate or enjoy something in a noisy or wild way

   type of:

   get together, meet

   get together socially or for a specific purpose