gay

1 of 2

adjective

ˈgā 

1

a

: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to people of one's same sex

gay men

a gay woman in her 40s

—often used to refer to men only

gay and lesbian members of the community

b

: of, relating to, or intended for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc.

the gay rights movement

a gay bar

2

a

: happily excited : merry

in a gay mood

b

: keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits

a bird's gay spring song

3

a

: bright, lively

gay sunny meadows

b

: brilliant in color

4

: given to social pleasures

also : licentious

gay adverb

gayness noun

gay

2 of 2

noun

plural gays

sometimes disparaging + offensive; see usage paragraph below : a gay person

especially : a gay man

Usage of Gay

Use of the noun gay to refer to a particular person or particular people is commonly considered offensive. Phrases that employ the adjective are preferred

a gay author

they are both gay

over such uses as

The author is a gay.

and

They are both gays.

which employ the noun. The noun does, however, function as a neutral or positive self-descriptor, and in its plural form is common especially in phrases with other plural nouns that relate to sexual orientation and gender identity.

the rights of gays and lesbians

It is also sometimes used neutrally to refer in a general way to gay people.

gays serving in the military

Synonyms

Adjective

• active
• airy
• animate
• animated
• bouncing
• brisk
• energetic
• frisky
• jaunty
• jazzy
• kinetic
• lively
• mettlesome
• peppy
• perky
• pert
• pizzazzy
• pizazzy
• racy
• snappy
• spanking
• sparky
• spirited
• sprightly
• springy
• vital
• vivacious
• zippy

Choose the Right Synonym for gay

lively, animated, vivacious, sprightly, gay mean keenly alive and spirited.

lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

Examples of gay in a Sentence

Adjective

The band was playing a gay tune.

the gayest of the spring flowers

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The regime has been accused of numerous human rights violations, particularly against gay men. —Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024

Pup is still in high school, and Remy, a Black gay man with an outsize personality, is raising him while managing the drive-in. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

Disney also cited two Supreme Court cases — Boy Scouts of America v. Dale and Hurley v. Irish-American Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Group of Boston — in which the court held that organizations could not be compelled to associate with supporters of gay rights. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 10 Apr. 2024

Christy Vincent came out as gay fairly late in life, at the age of 39. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2024

In early 2017, United Nations human rights experts urged authorities to investigate allegations that gay men were being targeted and detained, and local media reported that some had been murdered for their sexuality. —Jack Guy, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024

People brought their pets to work, and Knoll, a 39-year-old gay man, sports a dyed blonde mohawk. —Casey Parks, Washington Post, 7 Apr. 2024

As a contributing handicap, I am not attracted to most gay men. —Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024

Health experts also worried the law would hinder medical access for gay people, especially those seeking H.I.V. testing, prevention and treatment. —Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French gai, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gāhi quick, sudden

Noun

derivative of gay entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun

1953, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing gay

• anti-gay

Kids Definition

gay

adjective

ˈgā

gayer; gayest

1

: happily excited : merry

a gay mood

2

a

: cheerful sense 1a, lively

a gay meadow

b

: brilliant in color

3

: given to social pleasures

4

: homosexual entry 1

gay adverb

gayness noun

Medical Definition

gay

adjective

ˈgā 

1

: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to individuals of one's same sex

gay men

a gay woman in her 40s

—often used to refer to men only

gay and lesbian members of the community

2

: of, relating to, or intended for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc.

gay issues

Biographical Definition

Gay

biographical name

ˈgā 

John 1685–1732 English poet and dramatist