variants
also gayety
1
as in attire
dressy clothing
attendees of the masquerade ball arrived dressed in all their gaiety
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in festivity
joyful or festive activity
loved the gaiety of the annual harvest festival the gaiety of the wedding reception
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter
the gaiety of children enjoying an outing at an amusement park
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gaiety
Plainview has the prospector’s voice without his gaiety.
—
David Denby, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026
Later, for nearly 60 years, the lights were out and the gaiety muted in this once-vibrant community.
—Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Brooding in the historical background are the plantations, the vexed issue of where the money comes from that underwrites all this charm, these impeccable manners, this unsteady gaiety.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The opening Allegro vacillates between punchy jabs and fluttery gaiety.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaiety
David Denby, New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2026
Later, for nearly 60 years, the lights were out and the gaiety muted in this once-vibrant community.
—Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
Brooding in the historical background are the plantations, the vexed issue of where the money comes from that underwrites all this charm, these impeccable manners, this unsteady gaiety.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
The opening Allegro vacillates between punchy jabs and fluttery gaiety.
—Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gaiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaiety
Noun
-
Instead of a usual tuxedo, the attire consists of a black tail coat, a waistcoat and a white bow tie.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
28 Apr. 2026
-
As for Tom’s surprise appearance at the country music festival, the actor kept his attire casual, opting for blue jeans, a tan jacket and a hat.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Dogfish Head is the official beer of Record Store Day and has gotten in on the festivities beginning in 2025 via a series of limited-edition Grateful Dead compilations titled On a Back Porch.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Privately, one network executive explained why the festivities moved forward.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Half critic, half concierge, Edwards’ round-ups are generally distinguished by a cheerfulness.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
As a teen-ager listening to folk music in London pubs, I’d been attracted to the instrument’s nimble, tinkling cheerfulness, its being on the margins, not too demanding, perhaps.—
Tim Parks,
New Yorker,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Guests showed up in their most eccentric finery.—
Blanche Marcel,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Note, for example, the heavy draperies and their tassels, the busy floral wallpapers, the stalks of hydrangeas that flank the mantelpiece, and the art and finery covering every surface.—
Laura E. Helton,
Literary Hub,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kate Perez The royal visit is part of the celebrations surrounding the 250th anniversary of the United States.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Of course, that’s probably because Boldy blacked out during his own celebration.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
New York with aplomb, expressing glee about the network being able to keep the project a secret.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Laptop twee tries to pretend those simpler times are accessible, which makes for exaggerated, juvenile glee—a dishonest document of 2026, but a wildly appealing one.—
Samuel Hyland,
Pitchfork,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On Saturday afternoon, someone dressed as the Christian messiah was among the dozens of people in costumes and masks seen on a video forcing open the door of a Scientology building on Hollywood Boulevard after a tug-of-war with a security guard.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Their parents would come and look at the costumes and buildings in horror.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The finale is an ambiguous mix of jollity and agitation, with a piccolo shrieking above a militant march.—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Winston Peacock’s Ghost of Christmas Present is especially winning with decidedly John Belushi-esque jollity.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gaiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaiety. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
