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 onlygay 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
4
: given to social pleasures
also
: licentious
gay
adverb
gayness
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
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
Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
The slogan pays homage to the courage shown during the Stonewall Riots in 1969, a pivotal milestone in the recognition of gay rights.
—Simone E. Morris, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
As a 15-year-old, Ninh recalls being met with uncertainty from her late mother after coming out as gay.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 29 June 2025
Milk was one of the first openly gay men elected to public office in the United States after winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gay
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
In some cases, Manning said, the fact that the deceased person was gay was wiped from their identity in the funerals.
—Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
The slogan pays homage to the courage shown during the Stonewall Riots in 1969, a pivotal milestone in the recognition of gay rights.
—Simone E. Morris, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
As a 15-year-old, Ninh recalls being met with uncertainty from her late mother after coming out as gay.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 29 June 2025
Milk was one of the first openly gay men elected to public office in the United States after winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977.
—Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gay
Cite this Entry
“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gay. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gay
adjective1
: 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 onlygay 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
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