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

• 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

At a Florida Democratic Party dinner gala, which fell between Wasserman Schultz’s and Trump’s use of the f-word, U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz was delivering remarks to an audience of 800. —Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 6 July 2025

There was also an aria gala concert on June 29 in La Jolla, and another concert of early 1900s French songs by composer Reynaldo Hahn is coming up July 11. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025

DeBose was on hand to attend a gala dinner following the opening, hosted at the Institute of Contemporary Art overlooking the Boston waterfront. —Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 4 July 2025

Unique from other fashion galas, where brands typically buy a table and invite guests of their own choosing, the Bal d’Été sold individual tickets, and so the seating plan will be overseen by organizers. —Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 July 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