Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A festive occasion, especially a lavish social event or entertainment.
- noun Chiefly British An athletic competition, especially a swimming contest.
- adjective Marked by lavish or festive celebration.
- adjective Characterized by sumptuous social pleasure.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A textile fabric made in Scotland.
- noun Festal attire; one's best clothes: as, to be in gala.
- noun Festivity; festive show.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun Pomp, show, or festivity.
- noun a day of mirth and festivity; a holiday.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective
Celebratory ;festive . - noun uncountable
Pomp ,show , orfestivity . - noun countable A showy and festive party.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a gay festivity
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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In addition to honoring student work, the College Television Awards gala is an opportunity for this talented group of students, and soon-to-be industry professionals, to meet and network with high-level Hollywood decision-makers.
Twilight Lexicon » Peter Facinelli To Be a Presenter at Awards 2010
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Its next U.S. gala is scheduled for June on the Mall.
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Fey, who has won several Emmys for her writing and acting, has given the Twain gala's producers and writers plenty of skits and one-liners to work with.
Stars set to honor Tina Fey in Mark Twain Prize ceremony at Kennedy Center Jacqueline Trescott 2010
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Another fundraising gala is scheduled for September.
Redskins' party: Monk's grace softens wait for Hall of Fame 2008
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Sen. Frist's promise of not accepting money from lobbyists attending the World of Hope gala is virtually useless, as representatives from corporations do not have to be official lobbyists to be able to donate to a nonprofit such as Frist's.
09/02/2004 2004
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In the midst of the enemy's camp-ground, underneath a temporary dance-house, are men and women in gala-day dress.
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Just to remind: Three months away from its grand "gala" - on September 11th!!
Save Richmond 2009
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The theme for the gala was the Ice Hotel, said Ms. Zuckerman Jacobson.
In Aspen, Bringing Winter Into Summer Marshall Heyman 2011
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And by the way, I recently discussed this long-ago debacle with Donya Hubby, who at the time of the gala was the Joffrey's publicity director; she has lately served as the U.S. company manager for the Royal Danish Ballet.
Susan Dormady Eisenberg: The Night Lena Horne Rescued the Joffrey Ballet: A Birthday Tribute Susan Dormady Eisenberg 2011
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And by the way, I recently discussed this long-ago debacle with Donya Hubby, who at the time of the gala was the Joffrey's publicity director; she has lately served as the U.S. company manager for the Royal Danish Ballet.
Susan Dormady Eisenberg: The Night Lena Horne Rescued the Joffrey Ballet: A Birthday Tribute Susan Dormady Eisenberg 2011
uselessness commented on the word gala
I always thought this word should be pronounced "GAA luh" or maybe "GAH luh," but "GAY luh" sounded wrong to me. Then, WordNET cleared it up, and all is well again.
December 17, 2007
reesetee commented on the word gala
Yes, it was a big secret until WeirdNet had to go and blab. ;-)
December 17, 2007
frindley commented on the word gala
See galah for further pronunciation notes.
April 10, 2008
bard commented on the word gala
Back in the good old days when public executions were common occurrences and even celebrations... this was originally a "gallows" event, which was shortened and eroded down to "gala" over time. A rather gruesome origin for such a cheerful term, rather like "carnival."
June 17, 2008
johnmperry commented on the word gala
Where's the gruesomeness in carnival? That is from "carne vale" - goodbye to meat, at the start of Lent.
June 17, 2008
Prolagus commented on the word gala
An alternative etymology is carnem levare, which basically means the same.
June 17, 2008
bard commented on the word gala
Well simply that "meat" or "flesh" is not usually associated with merry-go-rounds and ferris wheels... Giving up meat for Lent is a fairly traditional "sacrifice," but again, celebrating one's sacrifices seems a bit incongruous and dark for a child's entertainment. Of course back in the day, kiddies weren't protected from reality, so it was no big thing, just like gallows events. Disney has done horrible things to our children in shielding them from truth.
Then again, chili con carne is just not chili worth bothering with. *wink*
June 17, 2008
Prolagus commented on the word gala
:-)
June 17, 2008
johnmperry commented on the word gala
Hardly a sacrifice not to eat meat for 40 days, particularly for those who couldn't afford it anyway! But this was more of a saying goodbye to the good times. After Lent, when the hens started laying again, was the time of Easter Eggs, well before Easter was hijacked by the Church.
June 17, 2008