gala

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a special public celebration or entertainment, often held for a formal or charitable purpose

   The museum raised funds at its annual gala.

2. 2
   noun

   a sports competition, especially a swimming event in British English

   The school entered three teams in the regional swimming gala.

3. 3
   adj

   festive, formal, or intended for a special celebration

   The guests arrived in gala dress for the evening performance.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Gala, recorded in English from the early 17th century, ultimately belongs to the same French word family as gallant. Its source is Old French gale, “pleasure” or “rejoicing.”

Borrowed through French gala ("festive occasion"), probably from Italian gala and related to Old French gale ("merriment, rejoicing"). Its deeper Germanic origin is uncertain.

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External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary