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

Kardashian recently wore them in metallic gold to attend the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opening night gala in Los Angeles in September. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is also scheduled to campaign in Georgia during the closing stretch, including an appearance at the Fulton County Democratic Party's annual gala Friday. — Jamal Goss, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

There was a tribute to 650 WSM AM’s Bill Cody, the gala’s longtime announcer, who died in June. — Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 27 Oct. 2026

The show also featured a tribute to the late Bill Cody, the longtime WSM radio personality and Opry emcee who had been the announcer for the Songwriters Hall of Fame gala for years. — Chris Willman, Variety, 27 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