gaiety

noun

ˈgā-ə-tē How to pronounce gaiety (audio)
variants also gayety
Definition of gaietynext
1
as in attire
dressy clothing attendees of the masquerade ball arrived dressed in all their gaiety

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in festivity
joyful or festive activity loved the gaiety of the annual harvest festival the gaiety of the wedding reception

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter the gaiety of children enjoying an outing at an amusement park

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of gaiety The service itself is fleet on its feet, which lends to the gaiety of simply being in this space, with a noise level not to high (except for a wholly out of place intrusion of thumping music Boulud would never have in France). — John Mariani, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026 Later, for nearly 60 years, the lights were out and the gaiety muted in this once-vibrant community. — Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 For Godard, humor is performative, not just a way of getting a laugh but of getting a rise—or of setting the clock back and imposing a boyish gaiety on the stern responsibilities of adults. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2025 The opening Allegro vacillates between punchy jabs and fluttery gaiety. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gaiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaiety
  1. attire
  2. festivity
  3. cheerfulness
  4. finery
  5. celebration
  6. glee
  7. costume
  8. jollity
Noun
  • But this year, according to a dress code reviewed by The Athletic, women have been told that strapless, off-the-shoulder and spaghetti-strap attire is not permitted, with illustrations of appropriate and inappropriate wear for both men and women.
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
  • Shop More Loft Sales Talbots is the destination for elegant travel outfits and office-ready attire.
    — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026
Definition of attire
Noun
  • The festivities actually get started with a pre-party show on July 17 headlined by Stockton indie-rock legends Pavement and also featuring bootgazers Wednesday and indie-rock act Vivian Girls.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 8 July 2026
  • After last weekend’s festivities at Madison Square Garden, Swift has yet to share photos of her custom Dior haute couture wedding gown publicly — or any of her other wedding weekend attire.
    — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 8 July 2026
Definition of festivity
Noun
  • How is one not enamored of the Dutch fans’ togetherness and cheerfulness, or the costumes and smiles of the Japanese fans?
    — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 June 2026
  • Finns may not be known for demonstrative cheerfulness, nor necessarily for being makers of excessively happy music.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
Definition of cheerfulness
Noun
  • People love to fantasize about clothes, to imagine what their own bodies might feel like encased in finery or outfitted in some outré style.
    — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
  • My family saw plenty of dancing, impromptu music jams and people kitted out in their national finery.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of finery
Noun
  • England endured a raucous crowd at Estadio Azteca to beat Mexico in a round-of-16 thriller but lost veteran midfielder Jordan Henderson to a wrist injury from a postgame celebration.
    — Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
  • With its dynamic architecture and expansive interiors, the estate served as a fitting backdrop for the brand’s celebration of craftsmanship.
    — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 9 July 2026
Definition of celebration
Noun
  • Although Jones takes responsibility for the hurt and dysfunction his compulsive tomcatting caused, the legendary lothario details his conquests with barely disguised glee.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 3 July 2026
  • Now, there is country-wide camaraderie and glee, mainstream momentum like never before.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Definition of glee
Noun
  • Indian star couturier and Bollywood costume designer Manish Malhotra made his debut on the Paris couture calendar this season.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026
  • The costume design course was announced earlier this year, alongside the appointment of three-time Oscar-winning costumer designer Sandy Powell as its ambassador.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 9 July 2026
Definition of costume
Noun
  • The finale is an ambiguous mix of jollity and agitation, with a piccolo shrieking above a militant march.
    — Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Winston Peacock’s Ghost of Christmas Present is especially winning with decidedly John Belushi-esque jollity.
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Dec. 2025
Definition of jollity

Browse Nearby Words

gagsters
gaiety
gaily
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Cite this Entry

“Gaiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaiety. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gaiety

Nglish: Translation of gaiety for Spanish Speakers

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