GAY Synonyms: 325 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

gay

adjective

ˈgā

Definition of gay next

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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

as in bright

serving to lift one's spirits the skylark's gay song lifted me out of my gloom

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in joyful

joyously unrestrained it was the era of the flappers, and young women were gay, bold, and defiant of convention

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples of gay in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But none of his novels (with the exception of The Spell ) is only about being gay, any more than, say, John Updike’s Rabbit books are only about being heterosexual. —

Charles McGrath, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2024 Jean-Pierre made history in 2022 when she was tapped to become the press secretary, becoming the first Black woman and the first openly gay person to take on the role. —

Mary Bruce, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2024 Savant’s first claim to fame was Melrose Place (1992–1997) in the groundbreaking role of Matt Fielding, one of the first openly gay lead characters in mainstream TV history. —

Danny Horn, EW.com, 3 Oct. 2024 The two were drawn to her not only for her over-the-top style, including her bold eye makeup and mannerisms, but also her compassionate interview with pastor Steve Pieters, a gay man living with AIDS, in 1985 on her popular Christian television show Tammy’s House Party. —

Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gay

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.