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

Present at the Gran Teatro del Liceo for a gala which celebrated Barca's 125th anniversary on November 29 this year, Sotil is fondly remembered by Culers while being revered in his homeland. —Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

In: Comedy About Love Broadway gala in New York City in a rare red carpet appearance on Dec. 16. —Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024

On Monday, December 16, the 31-year-old comedian showed up at the All In: Comedy About Love gala in New York City to support his longtime pal John Mulaney, who is starring in the Broadway show alongside Renée Elise Goldsberry and Richard Kind. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

The gala will take place on Friday, January 24, 2025 at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley in Utah. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 18 Dec. 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