estival

Definition & meaning

The adjective estival relates to the summer season. It describes anything that occurs during the summer or is characteristic of that time of year.

• In a general context: Something that belongs to or happens in summer (e.g., summer weather, summer holidays).
• In a literary or formal context: It is used to qualify attributes associated with the heat or the nature of the season.

Grammar & Word origin

• Grammar: It is an adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. The feminine form is estivale, and the plural forms are estivaux (masculine) and estivales (feminine).
• Origin: The word comes from the Latin aestivalis, derived from aestas, which means "summer".

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• d'été↗
• estivant↗ (though usually referring to a person)

Antonyms:

• hivernal↗ (relating to winter)