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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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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
  • There’s this desire, understandable on its face, to make the design and aesthetics of the live-action world recognizably similar to the animated world.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The face is customizable with various colorways, clock fonts, and photos; there’s also an animated Snoopy, whose antics change with the weather and the holidays.
    — Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of animated
Adjective
  • Off-duty models stepped out in nonchalant style, pairing the jeans with basic tops and simple belts, while fashion show attendees elevated the laidback fits with button-down denim shirts, neckties and colorful knitwear.
    — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Just a rugged man in a stream There is, of course, nothing nonchalant about the exchange.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • Rather than getting stuck or trying to figure out a way to navigate around an obstacle, the robot can simply leap over it and continue on its merry way.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 16 Oct. 2026
  • After tuning up, Batiste led his merry band of musicians to their stage.
    — Marc Lieberman, CBS News, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of merry
Adjective
  • The vibe is of a cheerful — very upscale — Parisian market that’s centered around a section of fruits and vegetables displayed like in a museum.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Jeon is marvelous in the role, allowing flashes of envy, resentment, and longing to surface beneath Mi-ok’s cheerful, accommodating manner without diminishing her warmth or loyalty.
    — Lisa Wong Macabasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of cheerful
Adjective
  • An exuberant pre-dawn sky — filled with large, bright stars, a luminous crescent moon, and blue and white swirls — dominates the landscape featuring a prominent cypress tree and distant hillside village.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But the only picture mode that comes close to being that bright also has a notably green bias and ramps up the fan noise to a level that almost anyone will consider intolerable.
    — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • The three other members of Uppity are bubbly, guileless, and joyful to an extent that’s unique at any age, but especially rare in adulthood.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026
  • No facial expression or vocal inflection can be read simply; the performance is at its most heartbreaking when at its most joyful.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of joyful
Adjective
  • This lunar event shifts the energetic landscape significantly.
    — Lisa Stardust, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Now, the Andrés group is back with an equally glamorous restaurant, one that highlights aged steaks in an energetic and theatrical setting.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of energetic
Adjective
  • When tragedy strikes, a carefree journalist must step up to anchor his family and rebuild his world.
    — Annika Pham, Variety, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Either way, this home affords an exceptional carefree lifestyle.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 18 Oct. 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 27 Oct. 2026.

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