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

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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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5
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
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
  • 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
  • The animated family adventure should dig up about $20 million for Paramount through the weekend.
    — Jack Dunn, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of animated
Adjective
  • 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
  • Opting for a baggier jean style immediately reads more nonchalant, giving the overall outfit a cooler look.
    — Eva Thomas, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • 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
  • Fortune’s intrepid tech editor, Alexei Oreskovic, and his merry band of reporters will carry on in my absence.
    — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of merry
Adjective
  • Beyond Ningyocho station, cheap and cheerful izakaya sit next to longstanding kaiseki and sushi restaurants in heritage buildings, remnants of the era when this was Yoshicho, one of Tokyo's geisha quarters.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The fragrance is a delicious mix of sweet, fruity, and floral, thanks to notes of citrus, agave, and jasmine, offering a bright and cheerful scent to your space.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of cheerful
Adjective
  • Put the cutting in a warm place with bright, indirect light, keep the soil evenly moist, and open the bag once each day to let in fresh air.
    — Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Mystery Men Throw it back to the Y2K era with this 1999 comedy starring a plethora of the era’s brightest comedic talents, including Ben Stiller, Kel Mitchell, Janeane Garofolo, and Paul Reubens.
    — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 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
  • Luckily, Kittredge’s film is hugely entertaining, energetic, and insightful.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
  • By combining multiple types of light into one image, NASA is able to reveal the complete picture of what this energetic galaxy is made of.
    — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • 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
  • Verano centers on an unruly teen whose plans for a carefree summer are disrupted when his parents welcome an asylum seeker into their home.
    — Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 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
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Cite this Entry

“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gay. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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