Fiesta and Feast Are the Same Word
A fiesta is a festival, especially in Spanish-speaking countries. Feast, festival and festive all come from the same Latin root.
A fiesta is a festival or celebration, particularly a religious one in Spanish-speaking countries. It shares its origin with a large English family: Latin *festa*, feast days, gives *feast*, *festival*, *festive* and *festoon*. English borrowed *fiesta* directly from Spanish in the nineteenth century, adding a fourth member to a group it already had.
- A festival. *The town fiesta.*
- A celebration. *A street fiesta.*
- Siesta — an unrelated afternoon rest. *An afternoon siesta.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | fiesta | An annual fiesta. |
| Plural | fiestas | Village fiestas. |
| Related | feast | A wedding feast. |
| Related | festival | A music festival. |
| Related | festive | A festive mood. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The fiesta lasts three days.Celebration.
- Fiesta and feast share a root.Latin *festa*.
- Siesta comes from *sexta*, the sixth hour.A different word entirely.
Words from *festa*
- Feast — a large celebratory meal
- Festival — an organised celebration
- Festive — cheerful and celebratory
- Festoon — a decorative chain, from garlands at festivals
- Fete — a French relative, an outdoor event
From Spanish *fiesta*, from Latin *festa*, festivals, the plural of *festum*, a holiday.
Fiesta or siesta?
A fiesta is a festival, a siesta an afternoon rest. Siesta comes from the Latin for the sixth hour, around midday.
Are feast and festival related?
Yes. Both descend from Latin *festa*, along with festive, festoon and fiesta.