noun
gala
GAH-luh
noun
1
A large, festive public celebration or event.
"The museum held a black-tie gala to raise funds."
"Thousands attended the annual summer gala."
2
A crisp, red-skinned variety of eating apple.
"She packed a Gala apple for her lunch."
adj
1
Festive or celebratory.
"It was a gala occasion, with fireworks and music."
How to Use Gala
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA fancy celebration, or — separately — a type of sweet red apple.
Common pairings
charity gala
gala dinner
gala event
Word Forms
galas plural, gala plural, galas plural, Galas plural
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Etymology
From French gala, itself from Italian or Spanish gala meaning "festive occasion," ultimately traced back to an Old French word for rejoicing.