gala

American  

[gey-luh, gal-uh, gah-luh] / ˈgeɪ lə, ˈgæl ə, ˈgɑ lə /

adjective

1. festive; festal; showy.

   Her birthday parties were always gala occasions.

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noun

1. a festive occasion; celebration; special entertainment.

   a gala featuring opera stars in their most famous scenes.

2. festal pomp or dress.

gala British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of gala

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

Example Sentences

Timothee Chalamet's Oscars campaign earned a major boost Sunday as he scooped the best actor prize for "Marty Supreme" at the Critics Choice Awards, the first major gala of this year's Hollywood awards season.

From Barron's

Here is a list of key winners at the gala held by North America's largest critics' group, honoring the best in film and television:

From Barron's

The composer explained that, on Thursday, he was contacted by a reporter saying that the gala was announced on the Kennedy Center schedule and asking if he would be participating.

From BBC

The two became friends, sometimes going to dinner and galas together.

From The Wall Street Journal

There’s a “Star Wars” cantina bit, a soupçon of James Bond in the score at a fancy gala and dashes of Steven Spielberg in the camerawork.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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