gala
[ gey-luh, gal-uh; especially British gah-luh ]
/ ˈgeɪ lə, ˈgæl ə; especially British ˈgɑ lə /
adjective
festive; festal; showy: Her birthday parties were always gala occasions.
noun
a festive occasion; celebration; special entertainment: a gala featuring opera stars in their most famous scenes.
festal pomp or dress.
QUIZZES
DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!
We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?
Question 1 of 11
Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?
Origin of gala
1615–25; <French <Italian <Old French; see gallant
Words nearby gala
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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British Dictionary definitions for gala
gala
/ (ˈɡɑːlə, ˈɡeɪlə) /
noun
- a celebration; festive occasion
- (as modifier)a gala occasion
mainly British a sporting occasion involving competitions in several eventsa swimming gala
Word Origin for gala
C17: from French or Italian, from Old French gale pleasure, from Old French galer to make merry, probably of Germanic origin; compare gallant
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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