gala
Americanadjective
noun
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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
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.
Lalo’s prominent violin part was played at the gala with impressive finesse by Hilary Hahn as guest.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
Entertainment Television, which enjoyed an annual festival presence as a news outlet covering the gala activities.
From Los Angeles Times • May 12, 2026
The invitation-only gala, which benefits The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, began in 1948 as a fundraiser that marked the Institute’s annual spring fashion exhibition and was attended primarily by high-society museum patrons.
From Salon • May 5, 2026
The Met also announced a gala "host committee" led by Saint Laurent designer Anthony Vaccarello and actress Zoe Kravitz.
From Barron's • May 4, 2026
“I absolutely know what you mean. I’ve had to participate in my fair share of fundraisers and gala events. I can give her some tips on what to expect,” Maxine says.
From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson
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.
