gala

noun

ga·​la ˈgā-lə  ˈga-  ˈgä- 

1

: a festive celebration

especially : a public entertainment marking a special occasion

2

Gala : a medium-sized apple with crisp yellowish-white sweet flesh and a red skin or a golden skin with red striping

gala adjective

Synonyms of gala

• celebration
• festival
• festivity

Examples of gala in a Sentence

a grand gala celebrating the town's centennial

attended the gala celebrating the reopening of the museum

Recent Examples on the Web

Keke Palmer, who is on this year's Time 100 list, is drop-dead gorgeous in a floor length black gown at the Time 100 Gala on April 23 in New York City. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026

That includes a gala this summer in Las Vegas. —Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 28 Apr. 2026

On Monday evening in Manhattan, Clooney was celebrated with Film at Lincoln Center’s 51st Chaplin Award during a starry gala at Alice Tully Hall. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026

Funds raised from the gala support Homeboy Industries’ programs, which include job training, mental health services, tattoo removal and legal assistance for formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated individuals. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, borrowed from Spanish, "elegance, pomp, occasion marked by display," borrowed from Middle French gale "festivity, pleasure" — more at gallant entry 1

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gala

• calla
• palla
• salah
• valla
• valhalla
• walhalla

Kids Definition

gala

noun

ga·​la ˈgā-lə  ˈgal-ə 

: a festive celebration

gala adjective