noun
Uncommon
gala
GAH-luh
Gala (noun) means a large, festive public celebration or event. Example: “The museum held a black-tie gala to raise funds.”
noun
1
A large, festive public celebration or event.
"The museum held a black-tie gala to raise funds."
"Thousands attended the annual summer gala."
"The village hosts a gala every summer with music, games and food stalls."
2
A crisp, red-skinned variety of eating apple.
"She packed a Gala apple for her lunch."
"The orchard sells Gala apples by the bag at the farm shop."
"I prefer a Gala to a softer apple because it stays crunchy."
adj
1
Festive or celebratory.
"It was a gala occasion, with fireworks and music."
How to use gala
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fancy celebration, or — separately — a type of sweet red apple.
Common pairings
charity gala
gala dinner
gala event
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Word forms
- Plural
- galas
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The museum held a black-tie _____ to raise funds.
Etymology
From French gala, itself from Italian or Spanish gala meaning "festive occasion," ultimately traced back to an Old French word for rejoicing.
Related words
Rhymes for gala
See all rhymes for gala →Frequently asked questions
What does “gala” mean?
The word “gala” means a large, festive public celebration or event. In plain terms, a fancy celebration, or — separately — a type of sweet red apple.
How do you pronounce “gala”?
“Gala” is pronounced GAH-luh (/ˈɡælə/ in IPA).
How do you use “gala” in a sentence?
Here is “gala” used in a sentence: “The museum held a black-tie gala to raise funds.”
What part of speech is “gala”?
Depending on how it is used, “gala” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “gala” come from?
The word “gala” comes from Old French. From French gala, itself from Italian or Spanish gala meaning "festive occasion," ultimately traced back to an Old French word for rejoicing.
Is “gala” a common word?
“Gala” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “gala” have?
“Gala” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a large, festive public celebration or event.
What is the difference between a gala and a regular party?
A gala is a large, festive public event, often formal and organized to celebrate an occasion or raise money for a cause, whereas a regular party is typically smaller and more casual. Galas often involve dress codes, ticketed entry, and structured programs.
Why is a Gala apple called that?
A Gala apple is a crisp, red-skinned variety of eating apple, and the name refers specifically to the fruit rather than any celebratory sense of the word. Context makes clear whether gala refers to an event or the apple.
Can gala be used as an adjective?
Yes, gala can function as an adjective meaning festive or celebratory, as in "a gala evening" or "a gala occasion," describing something marked by celebration.
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