gala

noun

ga·​la ˈgā-lə  ˈga-  ˈgä- 

1

: a festive celebration

especially : a public entertainment marking a special occasion

2

capitalized : a medium-sized apple with crisp yellowish-white sweet flesh and a red skin or a golden skin with red striping

gala adjective

Synonyms

• carnival
• celebration
• fest
• festival
• festivity
• fete
• fête
• fiesta
• jubilee

Examples of gala in a Sentence

a grand gala celebrating the town's centennial

attended the gala celebrating the reopening of the museum

Recent Examples on the Web

Not surprisingly, Donald Trump’s May 1 executive order to cut federal funding for PBS and NPR stations was a prime topic of conversation at the annual gala in New York April 28 of the WNET group. —Jane Levere, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025

On multiple occasions, Combs attended the exclusive annual gala, benefitting the museum's Costume Institute. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 May 2025

At the tip of the island King Charles’ charity the King’s Trust threw their annual black-tie gala, while up near Central Park Prada was warming their new men’s store with a cocktail party. —Leigh Nordstrom, Footwear News, 2 May 2025

For her contributions, Torri will be the Athenaeum’s first honoree at its annual fundraising gala scheduled May 10. —Michael Williams, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, borrowed from Spanish, "elegance, pomp, occasion marked by display," borrowed from Middle French gale "festivity, pleasure" — more at gallant entry 1

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gala

• calla
• palla
• salah
• valla
• valhalla
• walhalla

Kids Definition

gala

noun

ga·​la ˈgā-lə  ˈgal-ə 

: a festive celebration

gala adjective