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

• 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

Across the Oscars, the BAFTAs, and the SAG awards, glitzy galas, and glam expeditions to Paris to promote The Substance, Moore and her stylist Brad Goreski delighted in gold and sparkles. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025

Hosted by cultural tastemaker Kenny Burns, the late-night gathering was energized by DJ D-Nice, who kept guests moving well past the gala’s formal program. —Okla Jones, Essence, 22 Sep. 2025

To that end, its inaugural gala was less of a traditional fundraising event, instead blending creativity with action to close the $711 billion nature finance gap. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 22 Sep. 2025

Good works Higher Ground Youth and Family Services raised $565,000 at its fundraising gala. —Samantha Gowen, Oc Register, 22 Sep. 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