gala

noun

Synonyms of galanext
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

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
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The younger generation is far less interested in cultural philanthropy, and increasingly, the gala class lives a life radically distant from most Americans. Katy Siegel, Artforum, 2 June 2026 Before heading to a Tribeca Film Festival reception later in the evening, Katie Holmes took the thong sandal from gala dressing back to denim on Monday, wearing Malone Souliers’ Koko Embossed Thong Sandals while out in New York City. Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 2 June 2026 The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles hosted its annual gala over the weekend, bringing art world and Hollywood royalty to Little Tokyo — from Barbara Kruger and Charles Gaines to Ava DuVernay and Keanu Reeves. Julissa James, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2026 In 2021, the music tycoon was diagnosed with Bell's palsy, a type of temporary facial paralysis, which forced him to postpone a portion of his annual pre-Grammys gala. Edward Segarra, USA Today, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for gala

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gala was in 1777

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gala. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

gala

noun
: a festive celebration
gala adjective

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