gaiety

or gay·e·ty

[gey-i-tee]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gaiety ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural gai·e·ties.

the state of being joyous, vivacious, or cheerful.

Often gaieties. merrymaking or festivity: the gaieties of the New Year season.

showiness; finery: gaiety of dress.

Nearby words

Origin of gaiety

1625–35; < French gaieté, equivalent to gai gay + -té -ty²

SYNONYMS FOR gaiety

1. merriment, mirth, glee, jollity, joyousness, liveliness, sportiveness, hilarity, vivacity, cheerfulness, joviality. 3. brilliance, glitter, flashiness, gaudiness.

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ANTONYMS FOR gaiety

1. sadness.

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Related formssu·per·gai·e·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gaiety

"Bulgari is for me the symbol of passion and of this vivid and colorful Roman gaiety," Bruni-Sarkozy said.
Pope Francis Inspires Italian Fashion Industry; Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Models For Bulgari|The Fashion Beast Team|July 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They have all the same cheerful faces, expressive of courage and gaiety.
War|Pierre Loti
He looked round with a sad countenance on those he had lately seen so full of life and gaiety.
Manco, the Peruvian Chief|W.H.G. Kingston
Bright light was streaming through the open windows of Rhodopis' house, and sounds of mirth and gaiety fell on the ear.
An Egyptian Princess, Complete|Georg Ebers

Than this one could hardly find a more convincing indication of the gaiety of the Egyptian temperament.
The Treasury of Ancient Egypt|Arthur E. P. B. Weigall
They ate to excess; they became drunk on water and fruit, and more than all on gaiety.
Doctor Pascal|Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for gaiety

gaiety

noun plural -ties

the state or condition of being merry, bright, or lively

festivity; merrymaking

Also (esp US): gayety

xref

See gay

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for gaiety

gaiety

1630s, from French gaieté, from gai "gay" (see gay). In the 1890s, especially with reference to a London theater of that name, and the kind of musical shows and dancing girls found there.

gaiety

or gay·e·ty

noun, plural gai·e·ties.

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Nearby words

Origin of gaiety

Examples from the Web for gaiety

gaiety

noun plural -ties

xref

gaiety