gala

noun

ga·​la ˈgā-lə  ˈga-  ˈgä- 

1

: a festive celebration

especially : a public entertainment marking a special occasion

2

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

gala adjective

Synonyms

• carnival
• celebration
• fest
• festival
• festivity
• fete
• fête
• fiesta
• jubilee

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

Emi Ko is among select pieces to be auctioned at a closing gala on June 20, with proceeds directly supporting coral reef protection and restoration around the world. —Natasha Gural, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

The venerable organization honored the exec at its spring gala alongside illustrious New York native and Severance star John Turturro. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 10 June 2025

The gala also honored Home Start’s CEO Laura Tancredi-Baese ahead of her upcoming retirement after 18 years of leadership. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2025

Most guests stayed at the hotel for the entire summer season, enjoying amenities like fine dining, gala balls, concerts, golf and tennis. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 June 2025

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