Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adverb In a joyful, cheerful, or happy manner; merrily.
- adverb With bright colors or trimmings; showily.
from The Century Dictionary.
- In a gay manner; with mirth and frolic; joyfully; merrily.
- Splendidly; with finery or showiness; brightly; gaudily.
- Tolerably; pretty. Also gailie, gaylie.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adverb Merrily; showily. See
gaily .
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adverb
merrily - adverb
showily
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adverb in a gay manner
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word gaily.
Examples
-
And he does this all while staggering about the stage tripping over things in gaily-stockinged feet (yes, I have a soft spot for gawky boys in colorful socks), fussing with the mix, swapping instruments on the fly, and -- in the grand tradition of Bowie and Byrne -- dancing like an utter spaz.
the short answer is, go. matociquala 2008
-
"It's not our fight, sweetheart," she called gaily over her shoulder, taking a whisky tumbler from a cupboard and unscrewing the bottle to top up her own and pour him a generous slug.
Fox Evil Walters, Minette 2002
-
"May you one day catch a Panon-worth," she called gaily, and took the hand of Oroles.
The Magic May Return Niven, Larry 1981
-
She called gaily to all the women, including Gertie, then left the carriage on the walk, and from her coalhouse dragged out a large trough-like box.
The Dollmaker Harriette Arnow 1954
-
Turning to Holger, he called gaily, 'That wasn't too bad, though, was it?'
Three Hearts and Three Lions Anderson, Poul, 1926- 1953
-
"Aloho-ate, lazy one!" she called gaily from below.
-
"Hop up, girls," she called gaily to Betty and Madeline.
Betty Wales, Sophomore Margaret Warde
-
"Dinner is ready!" she called gaily as she ran; and the sound of her voice made Rebecca sit up quickly, and exclaim:
A Little Maid of Old Maine Alice Turner Curtis
-
Her washwoman's family consisted of four children, and a husband who blew in gaily once in a while when in need of funds, or when recovering from a protracted spree, which made a few days 'nursing very welcome.
In Times Like These 1915
-
"Then good night, lovely Blossom," he called gaily while he turned back into the bridle path which led like a frayed white seam over the pasture.
The Miller Of Old Church Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow 1909
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.