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
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
However, staffing and funding cuts by President Donald Trump against the CDC have impacted HIV research and prevention efforts, NBC News reported, noting cuts have impacted surveillance of HIV among gay men, a demographic disproportionately affected by HIV.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
For Attitude magazine's February 2021 issue, Bailey spoke about being discouraged to come out as gay while pursuing an acting career.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 18 June 2025
Because everyone was so gay?), Justin would been our Ginsberg with the title poem, The Gutted, which shares what happen to the best minds of his generation.
—Michelle Tea
june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gay
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
Goldberg fired back by saying that hate crimes against gay and Black people happen in the U.S. as well.
Griffin, who served in the Trump White House during his first presidency, argued that the way women and minorities are treated in the U.S. is no way comparable to what such groups endure in Iran.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 19 June 2025
However, staffing and funding cuts by President Donald Trump against the CDC have impacted HIV research and prevention efforts, NBC News reported, noting cuts have impacted surveillance of HIV among gay men, a demographic disproportionately affected by HIV.
—Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
For Attitude magazine's February 2021 issue, Bailey spoke about being discouraged to come out as gay while pursuing an acting career.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 18 June 2025
Because everyone was so gay?), Justin would been our Ginsberg with the title poem, The Gutted, which shares what happen to the best minds of his generation.
—Michelle Tea
june 18, Literary Hub, 18 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 30 Jun. 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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