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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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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as in bright

serving to lift one's spirits the skylark's gay song lifted me out of my gloom

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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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of gay Sources told Fox News that Levin possibly met with the suspects on a gay dating app. —

Matt Finn, Fox News, 31 Jan. 2025 Conservatives likewise blamed Kristin Crowley, the city’s first woman and openly gay fire chief, for the wildfires that killed 28 people. —

Liam Reilly, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025 Mitchell speculated that his class was singled out because his syllabus includes works by August Wilson, the famed African-American playwright, and Nilo Cruz, the Cuban-American playwright who is openly gay. —

Sarah Blaskey, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025 In 1996, the AIDS cocktail arrived; a short time later, storylines featuring main characters who were gay entered the cultural lexicon (Rupert Everett in My Best Friend’s Wedding; Will & Grace). —

Glynnis MacNicol, Rolling Stone, 26 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for gay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay

Adjective

Unlike many children’s TV shows, the animated CoComelon doesn’t feature celebrity cameos—but CoComelon Classroom does.

— Kara Nesvig, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025
The longer answer: Yes, animated shows do have some analogous production techniques to the live-action bottle episode.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 7 Feb. 2025