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; gallant
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.
The Mark Twain Prize will be given to Maher at a gala set for June 28, with Netflix streaming the event at a later date, yet to be determined.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
The news came at Taco Bell’s Live Más Live gala March 10, during which the company introduced more than 20 new menu items — though the under-eye patches are the only non-edibles being rolled out.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026
Famed for both his powerful, challenging performances and his disdain for Hollywood's awards circuit, Penn did not attend Sunday's Oscars gala.
From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026
In a professional setting, like a networking event or gala, a graceful departure signals respect—whether it’s a quick “Wonderful to see you” or a subtle wave to the host.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026
The Mutual had thrown a five-day-long “Dedication Festival,” a gala event that included a formal banquet held, not on the NCC campus, but in Duke University’s “Great Hall.”
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
