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

Following the concert, the celebration continued with a gala honoring the musical’s legacy and supporting MCC Theater. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025

Sondheim’s last major treasure hunt was in 2013, at a birthday gala for his friend Perry Granoff. —Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025

All proceeds from the Scripter Awards gala support the library services, collections, and programs that inspire and inform the achievements of USC’s faculty, students, and staff. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 15 Dec. 2025

The site — which Trump promised Thursday would be finished in a year and a half — is set to host state dinners, galas and events held on campus. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 12 Dec. 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