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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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

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 Earlier this year, as Republicans sought to ban books with Black history and LGBTQ+ themes from schools across the country, the nation’s first openly gay Black senator stepped onto the Senate floor and read aloud from some of them. —

Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024 In an interview with Team USA in 2021, Glenn said her experience growing up as a figure skater introduced her to gay stereotypes. —

Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 7 Dec. 2024 Topics like gender-affirming care and trans women in sports have galvanized many American voters, says Andrew Proctor, an assistant instructional professor of political science who teaches courses on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender politics at the University of Chicago. —

Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024 His beth din has regularly converted gay, lesbian, and transgender people, and their children. —

Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gay

Adjective

This festive attraction features over 6 million dazzling lights and animated displays along a mile-long route.

Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024
But playing José, says Bardem, was not nearly as terrifying, or as traumatic, as the prospect of performing in an animated musical with Spellbound.

Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Dec. 2024