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

While in the city, Diana met AIDS patients at a hospital in Harlem, went to the famous toy store FAO Schwarz, visited with underprivileged children, and attended a gala dinner. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 21 July 2026

The Toronto International Film Festival has revealed its 2026 Platform — with galas, special presentations, and opening night already set. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 July 2026

Produced by Sony Music Vision, Always Lalisa will be part of the gala program this year. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

And for her, the gala is much more than just a social event in the principality. — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 19 July 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