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

Hiddleston, Dafoe and Peedom will attend the Zurich opening night gala. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

For the 2026 Premios Juventud gala, TelevisaUnivision partnered with Spanish broadcaster RTVE to bring Latin music and pop culture to European audiences. — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 24 Aug. 2026

The Motown Museum, based in Detroit, said Bradford Hobbs often attended its exhibit openings, Founder's Day celebrations and galas. — CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026

In the final gala, 19 participants competed in two rounds of swimsuit and evening gown presentations and in two elimination question rounds. — Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 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