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 largest holder of $TRUMP moved about $70 million worth of the coin in September to an account where it could be sold, just before the gala dinner contest was announced, The Washington Sun reported. — Madeleine May, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026

The gala will feature food, drinks, music, raffles, and a silent auction, according to the webpage for the event. — Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

The launch of this new initiative comes ja few months after Two Ten raised nearly $650,000 to fund relief and education programs at its annual gala in June. — Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

For the festive gala, Marchand worked with his close friend and stylist Christopher Rao to find the perfect red carpet outfit. — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 13 Oct. 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