1
as in animated
having much high-spirited energy and movement
couples dancing a gay, fast-paced jig
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2
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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3
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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4
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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5
as in bright
serving to lift one's spirits
the skylark's gay song lifted me out of my gloom
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6
as in joyful
joyously unrestrained
it was the era of the flappers, and young women were gay, bold, and defiant of convention
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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of gay
Her 1978 interview for Playboy is considered to be a key moment in the gay rights movement, galvanizing members after its release.
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Carla Hinton, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Some took that remark as an innocent allusion to her job promoting fresh produce; others saw it as a longtime epithet for gay men.
—Anita Gates, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
His 2012 documentary Jobriath A.D. detailed the rise and fall of the titular pioneering ’70s glam-rock musician, the first openly gay rock star.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
Years ago, Loftin uncovered and published for the first time a collection of letters that readers had submitted in the 1950s and ‘60s to One Magazine, an early gay rights publication founded in Los Angeles in 1952.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gay 
Carla Hinton, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Some took that remark as an innocent allusion to her job promoting fresh produce; others saw it as a longtime epithet for gay men.
—Anita Gates, Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2025
His 2012 documentary Jobriath A.D. detailed the rise and fall of the titular pioneering ’70s glam-rock musician, the first openly gay rock star.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024
Years ago, Loftin uncovered and published for the first time a collection of letters that readers had submitted in the 1950s and ‘60s to One Magazine, an early gay rights publication founded in Los Angeles in 1952.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay
Adjective
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Unlike the Oscars, however, the ADG Awards are split between contemporary, animated, period, and fantasy films.Mark Peikert, IndieWire, 3 Jan. 2025
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At the other end of the spectrum, Latvia and Thailand both made history with the former’s animated fantasy Flow and the latter’s How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, a tear-jerking comedy-drama that has been a box office sensation.Max Goldbart, Deadline, 20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Louie’s nonchalant friend Murph (Alfie Gledhill), there to be part of a surprise, and Sam (Harley Wilson), Irene’s close friend who ignites Louie’s jealousy.Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 10 Jan. 2025
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Video of the nonchalant greeting quickly circulated on the internet as new apparent evidence of the first families' comfort around one another.Bailey Richards, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Bringing his Rolling Thunder Revue tour to small stages across the nation, Dylan and his band of merry pranksters (Allen Ginsberg, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez) played music… and so much more.Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025
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Though drinking spikes during the holidays − 47% of men and 40% of women admitted to binge drinking during the merry season, according to American Addiction Centers − more adults are actually interested in sobering up.Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Single Woman Defies Stigmas By Sending Out Solo Holiday Cards By Melissa Fleur Afshar Life and Trends Reporter 0 Holiday cards are a cherished tradition, with cheerful family portraits gracing refrigerators nationwide each December.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 13 Jan. 2025
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Pansies bloom for up to six months, coloring the winter garden in a range of cheerful hues.Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The brand’s new Fall/Winter collection features the Women’s Knitted Greta Top, which can be styled under a blazer, the lightweight Octavia Cashmere Scarf, in a bright red floral pattern.Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
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Like most at-home teeth-whitening options, teeth-whitening pens contain an active ingredient to remove stains and neutralize tones for a whiter, brighter effect.Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Despite the gravity of her music, her live performances are also joyful, and cheeky.Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
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In the center of it all, children and adults danced together in a circle, their movements free and joyful.Edward Buckles Jr., TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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There was an announcement today about $45 million for some active transportation.Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 13 Jan. 2025
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Hope is not passive wishing but an active, dynamic process.Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Arsenal were a carefree attacking side in 2022-23, but they are no longer tethered to that way of playing, so there are fewer moments for fans to get excited about.Jordan Campbell, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
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In addition, my own research suggests that alumni spend less time posting carefree photos and videos when they are forced to deal with the mundane responsibilities of a full-time job after graduation.Bill Bergman, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near gay
Cite this Entry
“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gay. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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