gaiety
Gaiety (noun) means a cheerful, lighthearted mood; happiness. Example: “There was an air of gaiety at the wedding reception.”
How to use gaiety
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCheerfulness and festive fun.
A slightly old-fashioned, literary word — most modern speech would just say "cheerfulness" or "fun."
Word forms
gaieties plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
There was an air of _____ at the wedding reception.
Etymology
From Middle French gaieté, built on gai ("gay, merry") — the same root as the English word "gay."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for gaiety
See all rhymes for gaiety →Frequently asked questions
What does “gaiety” mean?
The word “gaiety” means a cheerful, lighthearted mood; happiness. In plain terms, cheerfulness and festive fun.
How do you pronounce “gaiety”?
“Gaiety” is pronounced GAY-uh-tee (/ˈɡeɪ.ə.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “gaiety” in a sentence?
Here is “gaiety” used in a sentence: “There was an air of gaiety at the wedding reception.”
What part of speech is “gaiety”?
“Gaiety” is a noun.
Where does the word “gaiety” come from?
The word “gaiety” comes from Middle French. From Middle French gaieté, built on gai ("gay, merry") — the same root as the English word "gay.".
How many meanings does “gaiety” have?
“Gaiety” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cheerful, lighthearted mood; happiness.
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