gala

[gey-luh, gal-uh, gah-luh]

adjective

1. festive; festal; showy.

   Her birthday parties were always gala occasions.

noun

1. a festive occasion; celebration; special entertainment.

   a gala featuring opera stars in their most famous scenes.

2. festal pomp or dress.

gala

/ ˈɡɑːlə, ˈɡeɪlə /

noun

1. 1. a celebration; festive occasion

   2. ( as modifier )

      a gala occasion

2. a sporting occasion involving competitions in several events

   a swimming gala

Word History and Origins

Origin of gala¹

1615–25; < French < Italian < Old French; gallant

Word History and Origins

Origin of gala¹

C17: from French or Italian, from Old French gale pleasure, from Old French galer to make merry, probably of Germanic origin; compare _gallant

Example Sentences

Lily and Annabel shared their names with Johnson’s biological daughters, while Angelina and Orlando were a nod to the kind of celebrities she sometimes rubbed shoulders with at charity galas.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Starting at 6 p.m., a paid fashion gala will begin, with tickets sold here.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The pair first struck up a connection more than 20 years ago, meeting at the G’Day USA gala in Los Angeles— with an assist from Aussie star Geoffrey Rush.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I have a secret hat I use sometimes, it says, ‘Make your smile great again,’” she said at the gala.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The gala tonight is dedicated to raising funds for Altadena, long a cherished neighborhood for Black musicians.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bash 
• celebration 
• dance 
• festivity 
• fiesta 
• function 
• jamboree 
• pageant 
• prom 
• shindig