gala

[gey-luh, gal-uh, gah-luh]

adjective

1. festive; festal; showy.

   Her birthday parties were always gala occasions.

noun

1. a festive occasion; celebration; special entertainment.

   a gala featuring opera stars in their most famous scenes.

2. festal pomp or dress.

gala

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gala¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gala¹

C17: from French or Italian, from Old French gale pleasure, from Old French galer to make merry, probably of Germanic origin; compare _gallant

Example Sentences

At the Tuesday night gala, the president’s favorite tenor, Christopher Macchio, serenaded business executives.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The crown prince's visit to Washington continues with a gala dinner on Tuesday night, followed by an investment summit on Wednesday.

Read more on BBC

Lewis, chief marketing officer of nonprofit StoryCorps, was in town for a work gala and eager to get home to her 3-year-old daughter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Rosalia is scheduled to perform tracks from "Lux" live for the first time on Friday night at a radio gala in the eastern city of Valencia.

Read more on Barron's

A formal gala was the last thing Kennedy was in the mood for, but twelve hundred guests were on their way.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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