gay

adjective

ˈgā How to pronounce gay (audio)
Definition of gaynext
1
as in animated
having much high-spirited energy and movement couples dancing a gay, fast-paced jig

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nonchalant
having or showing freedom from worries or trouble a gay, thoughtless girl who didn't care whether her work was done or not

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in merry
indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor had a gay old time at the party

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in cheerful
having or showing a good mood or disposition with a gay toss of his coat over his shoulder, the dapper old gentleman set off for the party

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in bright
serving to lift one's spirits the skylark's gay song lifted me out of my gloom

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained it was the era of the flappers, and young women were gay, bold, and defiant of convention

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective gay contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of gay are animated, lively, sprightly, and vivacious. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.

the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

When is it sensible to use animated instead of gay?

The words animated and gay can be used in similar contexts, but animated applies to what is spirited and active.

an animated discussion of current events

When might lively be a better fit than gay?

In some situations, the words lively and gay are roughly equivalent. However, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.

a lively debate on the issues

When would sprightly be a good substitute for gay?

While the synonyms sprightly and gay are close in meaning, sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.

a tuneful, sprightly musical

When is vivacious a more appropriate choice than gay?

The synonyms vivacious and gay are sometimes interchangeable, but vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.

a vivacious party host

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay
  1. animated
  2. nonchalant
  3. merry
  4. cheerful
  5. bright
  6. joyful
  7. energetic
  8. carefree
Adjective
  • David helped with a connection with Garner Holt Productions, which designs animated figures, show systems and special effects for major theme parks worldwide.
    — Thomas Coughlin, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The critically and commercially adored animated series from creators Amber Noizumi and Michael Green will return for season 2 in January, according to a new teaser that sees the comeback of Mizu (Maya Erskine) on her travels in London.
    — Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of animated
Adjective
  • Zizou Bergs Zizou Bergs served nonchalant-cool boy vibes upon his arrival to New York City for the US Open, rocking an oversized charcoal graphic tee from Golden Goose paired with voluminous black trousers and his personalized Golden Goose shoes.
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The plan is to keep being nonchalant about the whole thing, and hopefully their fan base will continue to grow.
    — Julius Miller, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • The hotel itself is staffed by a small but merry cadre of Lost Boys whose endearing mix of irreverence and can-doism gives the hotel its cool, devil-may-care personality.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Rounding up his merry men of Sherwood Forest, and his Maid Marian (Olivia de Havilland), Robin goes about resisting John’s rule and securing Richard’s throne.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of merry
Adjective
  • Even as a brutal heat wave threatened to smother the energy, the fest felt like a cheerful coming-out party—an announcement of the political commitments of a generation of mainstream artists more famous for singing about the self than about society.
    — Boris Kachka, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The cheerful voice of a guide on a mic booms through the open-air cab of each old-timey bus.
    — Sonjirose Chin, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of cheerful
Adjective
  • De Zerbi will take encouragement from Savio’s bright debut, with the £85million recruit from Manchester City looking bright and threatening, without executing on the final action.
    — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • The Casita looks good enough to sit on a desk and those super bright RGB LED’s really glow.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • Just days after Dolly Parton's death, Carly Pearce, Jelly Roll and niece Jada Star helped Grand Ole Opry fans say goodbye in a joyful farewell.
    — Chris Parton, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The Hutt Twins, however, don’t exactly have a joyful family reunion in mind for Rotta.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of joyful
Adjective
  • McQueen proves himself a masterful stylist of the modern blockbuster with this energetic action-thriller.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Colombian folk-pop band is known in the Latin music world for catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics and energetic live shows.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • Yet, despite the seemingly carefree construction, the shoe’s high sidewall design is intended to hug the wearer’s foot for a secure fit.
    — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Tadens, part of a Haitian migrant family that moved to the United States in 2024, is remembered as a carefree, sweet child who had a stellar school attendance.
    — Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of carefree
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.

Browse Nearby Words

gawps
gay
gayness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gay. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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