adv

gaily

GAY-lee

Gaily (adv) means In a cheerful, carefree way. Example: “She waved gaily as the train pulled away.”

adv

In a cheerful, carefree way.

"She waved gaily as the train pulled away."

"The children skipped gaily down the path."

In a bright, showy way, especially in color or decoration.

"The stalls were gaily decorated with ribbons and streamers."

How to use gaily

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCheerfully, or brightly/colorfully.

When to use it

Somewhat old-fashioned in everyday speech; still common in descriptive or literary writing.

more gaily comparative, most gaily superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “gaily” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Can you complete this real example?

She waved _____ as the train pulled away.

From gay + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

ILY oily lily wily daily Emily doily family Sicily easily bodily verily

What does “gaily” mean?

The word “gaily” means in a cheerful, carefree way. In plain terms, cheerfully, or brightly/colorfully.

How do you pronounce “gaily”?

“Gaily” is pronounced GAY-lee (/ˈɡeɪli/ in IPA).

How do you use “gaily” in a sentence?

Here is “gaily” used in a sentence: “She waved gaily as the train pulled away.”

What part of speech is “gaily”?

“Gaily” is an adverb.

How many meanings does “gaily” have?

“Gaily” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a cheerful, carefree way.