gala

noun

ga·​la ˈgā-lə  ˈga-  ˈgä- 

1

: a festive celebration

especially : a public entertainment marking a special occasion

2

capitalized : a medium-sized apple with crisp yellowish-white sweet flesh and a red skin or a golden skin with red striping

gala adjective

Synonyms

• carnival
• celebration
• fest
• festival
• festivity
• fete
• fête
• fiesta
• jubilee

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 supporting her father at the gala on Friday, Mellencamp discussed how she’s been supported by her family through her ongoing cancer journey. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 17 May 2025

While recently honoring Conan O’Brien for receiving the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at a gala event in D.C., Sarah Silverman told the audience that the former late-night host kept her going after she was fired from Saturday Night Live after only one season. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 16 May 2025

Here are more photos from people who were at the gala. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2025

In 2023, festivities included the Wilson Pottery Foundation gala and a tenth anniversary celebration at the Wilson Pottery Museum. —Jacoba Urist, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2025

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