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

The group has instead tried to emulate the annual fundraising galas and walkathons wealthier schools host, except its members target the school’s teachers and local businesses instead of their families — an approach that helped Amigos raise $166,000 in 2024-25, according to tax filings. — Mila Koumpilova, Chicago Tribune, 22 June 2026

Davis had previously revealed that he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy in 2021, a condition that causes temporary facial paralysis and forced him to scale back portions of his annual pre-Grammy gala. — Charlie Carballo, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster will headline Starlight Theatre’s 39th annual gala in October, the theater announced Monday. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 22 June 2026

The gala performance itself is scheduled to take place June 28 in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 22 June 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