gala

noun

ˈgā-lə How to pronounce gala (audio)
Definition of galanext
as in celebration
a time or program of special events and entertainment in honor of something attended the gala celebrating the reopening of the museum

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 gala The fair takes place the same week as the Aspen Art Museum’s popular ArtCrush gala and AIR, the museum’s new art and culture festival (look out for Andy Battaglia’s report for Art in America). — Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 30 July 2026 The week includes a two-day business summit, an awards gala being held in the United States for the first time in its 25-year history and the Akwasidae Kesie grand durbar. — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 Elsewhere, fellow actor Huppert will also receive a Performer Award as her latest film, Marc Fitoussi’s All About Corinne, gets gala treatment in Toronto. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 29 July 2026 The annual awards gala will take place on Sunday, September 13, at Fairmont Royal York Hotel Toronto. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for gala
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gala
  1. celebration
  2. festival
  3. festivity
Noun
  • Sacramento State is planning its biggest homecoming celebration yet as the university begins its first football season in the Mid-American Conference, but this year's festivities come with a major change after a concert last season ended in chaos.
    — Steve Large, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • Unfortunately, the big 20th-anniversary celebration likely stymied any conversations around cleaning house.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 31 July 2026
Definition of celebration
Noun
  • Two people were killed and at least five others were injured in a shooting at Seattle Center on Sunday night as the civic center complex hosted a major food festival.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 27 July 2026
  • Three people are dead and four others are injured after shots rang out at the Bite of Seattle food festival at the Seattle Center on Sunday, according to officials.
    — Leah Sarnoff, ABC News, 27 July 2026
Definition of festival
Noun
  • Sacramento State is planning its biggest homecoming celebration yet as the university begins its first football season in the Mid-American Conference, but this year's festivities come with a major change after a concert last season ended in chaos.
    — Steve Large, CBS News, 31 July 2026
  • For the wedding festivities, Spencer wore a total of five custom Dolce & Gabbana dresses.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 30 July 2026
Definition of festivity

Browse Nearby Words

gal
gala
galactic
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Cite this Entry

“Gala.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gala. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on gala

Nglish: Translation of gala for Spanish Speakers

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