GAY Synonyms: 325 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

gay

adjective

ˈgā

Definition of gay next

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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in merry

indicative of or marked by high spirits or good humor had a gay old time at the party

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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

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

as in joyful

joyously unrestrained it was the era of the flappers, and young women were gay, bold, and defiant of convention

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Examples Sentences

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Recent Examples of gay For the Russia release, the producers received requests to black out a scene where Strong, as Cohn, participates in a gay orgy. —

Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024 An early and influential participant in the gay liberation movement, Shelley spoke on the second night of the June 1969 rebellion. —

Jillian Eugenios, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2024 The two delivered, according to some, the most satisfying smooch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as Marvel's first kiss between two gay girl supers in its on screen history during the series’ riveting two-episode finale Wednesday night. —

Quispe López, Them, 31 Oct. 2024 Our Evenings, by Alan Hollinghurst Recommended Cooperation Transformed FEMA faces a torrent of challenges to its growing relief efforts This fictional memoir of a successful, aging stage actor begins with his experiences as a biracial, gay scholarship student at a British boarding school. —

Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay

Adjective

The 2024 crime comedy Bad Boys: Ride or Die placed No. 9 on the Netflix U.S. Top 10 Movies chart, while the 2015 animated blockbuster Minions finished at No. 10.

Tim Lammers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Siblings and Hollywood royalty Anjelica and Danny Huston are teaming on a new project, The Christmas Witch Trial of La Befana, a hybrid animated and live-action feature film that is currently shooting in Los Angeles and Ontario, Canada.

Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024