gaiety

noun

gai·​ety ˈgā-ə-tē 

variants or less commonly gayety

plural gaieties

1

: merrymaking

also : festive activity

—often used in plural

2

: high spirits : merriment

3

: elegance, finery

Synonyms of gaiety

• attire
• finery
• costume
• bravery
• frippery

Examples of gaiety in a Sentence

The party had none of the gaiety we've seen in past years.

the gaiety of the carnival

Recent Examples on the Web

Later, for nearly 60 years, the lights were out and the gaiety muted in this once-vibrant community. — Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026

The night carried a distinctly American blend of violence and gaiety. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026

The opening Allegro vacillates between punchy jabs and fluttery gaiety. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025

For Godard, humor is performative, not just a way of getting a laugh but of getting a rise—or of setting the clock back and imposing a boyish gaiety on the stern responsibilities of adults. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "cheerfulness," borrowed from Middle French gayeté, going back to Old French, from gai gay entry 1 + -eté -ity

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gaiety

• piety
• antianxiety
• intersociety
• anxiety
• impiety
• propriety
• satiety
• sobriety
• society
• variety
• contrariety
• impropriety

Kids Definition

gaiety

noun

gai·​ety

variants also gayety

ˈgā-ət-ē

plural gaieties

1

: merrymaking sense 1

2

: high spirits