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 Paley Honors Award recognizes landmark contributions to and enduring impact on the media industry, and its gala will feature a special tribute celebrating each honoree’s distinguished career and creative legacy. — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026

The Kennedy Center Honors began in 1978, and for the first time in its history, the gala ceremony will be held off-site, at the Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, DC, instead of at its traditional venue, the Opera House at the Kennedy Center. — News Desk, Artforum, 3 Nov. 2026

Proceeds from Dia’s fall gala will go toward commissions, publications, lectures and other educational programs in addition to the foundation’s restoration plans for existing spaces and site-specific works. — Ari Stark, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2026

Trump himself hosted the 2025 gala, which saw a steep drop in viewership and honored Sylvester Stallone, Gloria Gaynor, George Strait, KISS and Michael Crawford. — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 2 Nov. 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