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

Russell picked a Loewe gown for the 2024 gala, which featured a stiff, wood-like bodice. —Lindsay Kimble, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024

All the looks from the Met Gala:All the looks on the 2024 Met Gala red carpet, from Kim Kardashian to Zendaya More on the new Met Gala exhibit:All eyes on The Met: What celebs will see inside Monday's high-fashion gala Got it? —Adrienne Roberts, Detroit Free Press, 7 May 2024

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

Kids Definition

gala

noun

ga·​la ˈgā-lə  ˈgal-ə 

: a festive celebration

gala adjective