gay

play

adjective \ˈgā\

Definition of gay

1a : happily excited : merry in a gay moodb : keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits a bird's gay spring song
2a : bright, lively gay sunny meadowsb : brilliant in color
3 : given to social pleasures; also : licentious
4a : homosexual gay menb : of, relating to, or used by homosexuals the gay rights movement a gay bar

gay

adverb

gayness

noun

See gay defined for English-language learners

See gay defined for kids

Examples of gay in a Sentence

The band was playing a gay tune.
the gayest of the spring flowers

Recent Examples of gay from the Web

Those with convictions will need to apply to have their cases assessed because the law didn’t distinguish between consensual and nonconsensual gay sex, Adams said.

— nick perry, The Seattle Times, "New Zealand lawmakers apologize for 100s of gay convictions", 5 July 2017
As attorney general, Herring went on toadvance gay rights and abortion access, offer in-state tuition to certain illegal immigrants and to tighten gun control.

— laura vozzella, Washington Post, "Candidate for Va. AG wants to take politics out of the office. Sound familiar?", 4 July 2017
Will the Supreme Court rule a wedding cake store has to make a cake for a gay wedding, or is personal religion now a new refuge of bigotry?

— bill mego, Naperville Sun, "Mego: July 4 should be a reminder to us — and the city — to live up to our ideals", 30 June 2017
But in addition to PJ and Thomas, the series stars Thomas' sister, Sydney (also gay and engaged to a woman named Alice), and their funny British neighbor, Tania.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "11 Things You Need to Know About HGTV's New Show, 'Down to the Studs'", 30 June 2017
Liberal activists say the president and his administration sometimes have paired supportive moves with policies that significantly set back gay rights.

— beth reinhard, WSJ, "Trump’s Mixed Messages on Gay Rights Frustrate Activists", 28 June 2017
Lara, an openly gay man who voted for the bill that enacted the travel ban, used his own money and not state funds, the Times reported.

— leada gore, AL.com, "California officials in Texas days after travel ban announced", 27 June 2017
That law, passed as Senate Bill 17, could have indirect repercussions on the LGBT community in one of the nation's more gay-friendly cities, said Chris Hartman, the director of Louisville's Fairness Campaign.

— thomas novelly, The Courier-Journal, "Mayor Fischer asks California AG to exclude Louisville from Kentucky travel ban", 26 June 2017
Sports Illustrated media reporter Richard Deitsch has a media roundtable of gay sportswriters about their issues in light of the fantastic Cyd Ziegler piece on OutSports.com about former Patriots/Chiefs offensive tackle Ryan O’Callagahan.

— c. trent rosecrans, Cincinnati.com, "BAR: Should Scooter be freed from the garage?", 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gay'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gay

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

NEW!

First Known Use: 13th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

gay

noun

Definition of gay

: homosexual; especially : a homosexual male

See gay defined for English-language learners

Examples of gay in a Sentence

a bar that is frequented by gays

Recent Examples of gay from the Web

Many in the LGBT community have taken issue with the Trump's stance on gay, lesbian and transgender rights.

— nick swedberg, Daily Southtown, "Southland residents attend Chicago Pride Parade in force", 25 June 2017
A Florida Keys judge refused to give jail time to a North Carolina man who admitted to assaulting a couple with gay slurs, threats and knocking one off his bicycle by ramming his scooter into him.

— gwen filosa, miamiherald, "Gay-basher who yelled ‘You’re in Trump country now’ offers to hug his victims", 15 June 2017
The rise of the openly-gay, Indian immigrant’s son chimes with the emergence of a more youthful generation of leaders ranging from Justin Trudeau in Canada to President Emmanuel Macron in France.

— dara doyle, Bloomberg.com, "Irish Face Up to Brexit Talks With ‘Rock Star’ Prime Minister", 13 June 2017
Lambda Legal, a national gay rights group, signaled a legal challenge after Republican members overwhelmingly sent the bill to the state Senate.

— paul j. weber, The Seattle Times, "Courts could put Texas GOP’s aggressive agenda to the test", 22 May 2017
So these are people that push gays off business — off buildings.

— Washington Post, "In Saudi visit, Trump offers contradictions from campaign", 21 May 2017
Gay Talese Author Jean Stein was a very unusual rich girl.

— guy trebay and jacob bernstein, New York Times, "That Voice, Those Parties: Remembering Jean Stein", 20 May 2017
The tables were crowded with gay and lesbian married couples; gay and lesbian clergy, military, law enforcement agents and other professionals; and straight allies.

— peter rowe, sandiegouniontribune.com, "At San Diego's Harvey Milk breakfast, celebration is served with a side order of resistance", 19 May 2017
On Wednesday, Buzzfeed News reported the State Department denied visas to gay Chechens fleeing persecution, even while LGBTI groups in Russia frantically search for ways to get them out of the country.

— chicagotribune.com, "Lithuania opens door to gay chechens fleeing persecution, while U.S. slams it shut", 18 May 2017

Origin and Etymology of gay

derivative of ¹gay

NEW!

First Known Use: 1953

See Words from the same year

Gay

play

biographical name \ˈgā\

Definition of Gay

John 1685–1732 English poet and dramatist

GAY Defined for English Language Learners

gay

play

adjective

Definition of gay for English Language Learners

: sexually attracted to someone who is the same sex
: of, relating to, or used by homosexuals
: happy and excited : cheerful and lively

gay

noun

Definition of gay for English Language Learners

: a person and especially a man who is homosexual

GAY Defined for Kids

gay

play

adjective \ˈgā\

Definition of gay for Students

gayer

;

gayest

1 : merry 1, happy Setsu grew … into a gay, willful, pretty girl. — Pearl S. Buck, The Big Wave
2 : cheerful and lively They played a gay tune.
3 : brightly colored a gay dress