1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to people of one's same sex
gay men
a gay woman in her 40s
—often used to refer to men onlygay and lesbian members of the community
b
: of, relating to, or intended for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc.
the gay rights movement
a gay bar
2
a
: happily excited : merry
in a gay mood
b
: keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits
a bird's gay spring song
4
: given to social pleasures
also
: licentious
gay
adverb
gayness
noun
plural gays
sometimes disparaging + offensive; see usage paragraph below
: a gay person
especially
: a gay man
Usage of Gay
Use of the noun gay to refer to a particular person or particular people is commonly considered offensive. Phrases that employ the adjective are preferred
a gay author
they are both gay
over such uses as
The author is a gay.
and
They are both gays.
which employ the noun. The noun does, however, function as a neutral or positive self-descriptor, and in its plural form is common especially in phrases with other plural nouns that relate to sexual orientation and gender identity.
the rights of gays and lesbians
It is also sometimes used neutrally to refer in a general way to gay people.
gays serving in the military
Examples of gay in a Sentence
Adjective
The band was playing a gay tune.
the gayest of the spring flowers
Recent Examples on the Web
Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Who can embody masculinity without disrespecting women or gay people, who can speak to the men—particularly young men of color—leaving the party in droves.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Ellen’s head is a manifestly miserable place to spend time even before she’s injured while working on The Baroness, a macabre occult film made by a gay Jewish man in the twilight of the Weimar Republic and rescued from the secret collection of a dead Nazi.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 29 Oct. 2025
Actor Wilson Cruz cited Rebel Without a Cause as a massive influence on his life and career as a gay man portraying a gay character.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gay
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
At one point, Macy is interviewing her sister Cookie, who believes the 2020 election was rigged, when Macy’s older child, who is gay, comes up.
—Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025
Who can embody masculinity without disrespecting women or gay people, who can speak to the men—particularly young men of color—leaving the party in droves.
—Molly Ball, Time, 29 Oct. 2025
Ellen’s head is a manifestly miserable place to spend time even before she’s injured while working on The Baroness, a macabre occult film made by a gay Jewish man in the twilight of the Weimar Republic and rescued from the secret collection of a dead Nazi.
—Samantha Riedel, Them., 29 Oct. 2025
Actor Wilson Cruz cited Rebel Without a Cause as a massive influence on his life and career as a gay man portraying a gay character.
—Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gay
Cite this Entry
“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gay. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gay
adjective1
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to individuals of one's same sex
gay men
a gay woman in her 40s
—often used to refer to men onlygay and lesbian members of the community
2
: of, relating to, or intended for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc.
gay issues
Biographical Definition
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share