noun
gaiety
GAY-uh-tee
noun
1
A cheerful, lighthearted mood; happiness.
"There was an air of gaiety at the wedding reception."
"Her natural gaiety made her popular at parties."
2
Cheerful celebration or festivity.
"The town square was full of music and gaiety during the festival."
How to Use Gaiety
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCheerfulness and festive fun.
When to use it
A slightly old-fashioned, literary word — most modern speech would just say "cheerfulness" or "fun."
Common pairings
an air of gaiety
youthful gaiety
the gaiety of the occasion
Word Forms
gaieties plural
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Etymology
From Middle French gaieté, built on gai ("gay, merry") — the same root as the English word "gay."