gala
Americanadjective
noun
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galas
plural
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a festive occasion; celebration; special entertainment.
a gala featuring opera stars in their most famous scenes.
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festal pomp or dress.
noun
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a celebration; festive occasion
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( as modifier )
a gala occasion
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a sporting occasion involving competitions in several events
a swimming gala
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of gala
1615–25; < French < Italian < Old French; see gallant
Explanation
A gala is a big party. If you're going to a gala, you'll want to wear your fanciest ball gown — you'll want to look great for the best party of the year. A gala often features entertainment and dinner, and sometimes dancing and an auction. It's like a prom — but for adults. If you want to raise money for your favorite hospital, or museum, or theater, you could throw a gala, charge people a lot to attend, and give your profits to the charity. A gala can also be just a big celebration, like a gala dinner before the Oscars ceremony. Gala is from the Old French gale, "rejoicing."
Vocabulary lists containing gala
I Am Malala
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Fever 1793
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Academy Awards, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Starting in 2027, the agreement replaces a rotation of the gala among major networks like ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
Within a few years, NBC turned the Hollywood gala into a national telecast fitting for the small screen.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2026
Theagreement replaces the "Wheel Deal" system, which rotated the gala among major networks like ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC.
From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026
The people said Xi had accepted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to the gala.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026
We were nearly tuckered out from the gala dinner with dancing to follow.
From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck
Trump and Sean “Diddy” Combs have been known acquaintances for years—or whatever it’s called when two rich and famous dudes in entertainment are often invited to the same charity events, galas, and afterparties.
From Slate ● Jun. 11, 2026
Before they were squabbling in court and attending fashion galas, today’s masters of the universe built their names on engineering, coding and hard-charging leadership.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026
Designers cater to an extremely exclusive clientele able to purchase pieces for thousands of dollars intended for red carpets, galas, weddings or other public events.
From Barron's ● Jan. 26, 2026
Following the galas, Salonen began the first regular L.A.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2025
The two of them had been a compatible, attractive, and charming couple, making the rounds of the black community’s fall galas, debutante balls, picnics, and fundraisers.
From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
