gala

noun

ga·​la ˈgā-lə  ˈga-  ˈgä- 

1

: a festive celebration

especially : a public entertainment marking a special occasion

2

Gala : a medium-sized apple with crisp yellowish-white sweet flesh and a red skin or a golden skin with red striping

gala adjective

Synonyms of gala

• celebration
• festival
• festivity

Examples of gala in a Sentence

a grand gala celebrating the town's centennial

attended the gala celebrating the reopening of the museum

Recent Examples on the Web

Women rented designer gowns for galas, weddings and formal celebrations. — Angela Chan-Danisi, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

The gala, with a tasting menu from top chefs, will honor Fabien Cousteau, Bernadette Castro, Louis and Stephen Castro and Jean Shafiroff. — Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 5 July 2026

Swift and William first met in November 2013 at the Winter Whites charity gala, held in support of combatting youth homelessness, at Kensington Palace. — Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 4 July 2026

Brown bought a ticket to the gala and laid out her fanciest dress. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, borrowed from Spanish, "elegance, pomp, occasion marked by display," borrowed from Middle French gale "festivity, pleasure" — more at gallant entry 1

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gala

• calla
• palla
• salah
• valla
• valhalla
• walhalla

Kids Definition

gala

noun

ga·​la ˈgā-lə  ˈgal-ə 

: a festive celebration

gala adjective