1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to people of one's same sex
gay men
a gay woman in her 40s
—often used to refer to men onlygay and lesbian members of the community
b
: of, relating to, or intended for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc.
the gay rights movement
a gay bar
2
a
: happily excited : merry
in a gay mood
b
: keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits
a bird's gay spring song
4
: given to social pleasures
also
: licentious
gay
adverb
gayness
noun
plural gays
sometimes disparaging + offensive; see usage paragraph below
: a gay person
especially
: a gay man
Usage of Gay
Use of the noun gay to refer to a particular person or particular people is commonly considered offensive. Phrases that employ the adjective are preferred
a gay author
they are both gay
over such uses as
The author is a gay.
and
They are both gays.
which employ the noun. The noun does, however, function as a neutral or positive self-descriptor, and in its plural form is common especially in phrases with other plural nouns that relate to sexual orientation and gender identity.
the rights of gays and lesbians
It is also sometimes used neutrally to refer in a general way to gay people.
gays serving in the military
Synonyms
Examples of gay in a Sentence
Adjective
The band was playing a gay tune.
the gayest of the spring flowers
Recent Examples on the Web
Janey Tracey, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
The film follows Christian, a young twenty-something gay man, who is trying to get over the heartbreak of his first love.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
We might be largely alienated from the religion that spawned the all-consuming commercial hellscape that is the Christmas season, but if anything, that makes gay Christmas songs all the more resonant.
—James Factora, Them, 11 Dec. 2024
Set among middle-class Jews in New York City, the story belongs mainly to Marvin, a young man who has left his wife, Trina, and teenage son, Jason, for the gay life.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gay 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
The Holiday Sitter balances slapstick humor with heartfelt moments, going deeper than your average Hallmark movie to explore the experiences of gay men.
—Janey Tracey, EW.com, 14 Dec. 2024
The film follows Christian, a young twenty-something gay man, who is trying to get over the heartbreak of his first love.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
We might be largely alienated from the religion that spawned the all-consuming commercial hellscape that is the Christmas season, but if anything, that makes gay Christmas songs all the more resonant.
—James Factora, Them, 11 Dec. 2024
Set among middle-class Jews in New York City, the story belongs mainly to Marvin, a young man who has left his wife, Trina, and teenage son, Jason, for the gay life.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gay
Dictionary Entries Near gay
Cite this Entry
“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gay. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
gay
adjective1
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to individuals of one's same sex
gay men
a gay woman in her 40s
—often used to refer to men onlygay and lesbian members of the community
2
: of, relating to, or intended for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc.
gay issues
Biographical Definition
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