gay Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun someone who practices homosexuality; having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex
homo; homosexual; homophile.
adjective satellite bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
cheery; sunny.
- a cheery hello
- a gay sunny room
- a sunny smile
adjective satellite full of or showing high-spirited merriment
jocund; mirthful; jolly; jovial; merry.
- when hearts were young and gay
- a poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company"- Wordsworth
- the jolly crowd at the reunion
- jolly old Saint Nick
- a jovial old gentleman
- have a merry Christmas
- peals of merry laughter
- a mirthful laugh
adjective satellite given to social pleasures often including dissipation
- led a gay Bohemian life
- a gay old rogue with an eye for the ladies
adjective satellite brightly colored and showy
brave; braw.
- girls decked out in brave new dresses
- brave banners flying
- `braw' is a Scottish word
- a dress a bit too gay for her years
- birds with gay plumage
adjective satellite offering fun and gaiety
festal; merry; festive.
- a festive (or festal) occasion
- gay and exciting night life
- a merry evening
adjective satellite homosexual or arousing homosexual desires
homophile; queer.

F. gai, perhaps fr. OHG. ghi swift, rapid, G. gäh, jäh, steep, hasty; or cf. OHG. whi beatiful, good. Cf. Jay.

comparative Gayer ; superlative Gayest

Excited with merriment; manifesting sportiveness or delight; inspiring delight; livery; merry.
Belinda smiled, and all the world was gay. Pope.

Gay hope is theirs by fancy fed. Gray.
Brilliant in colors; splendid; fine; richly dressed.
Why is my neighbor's wife so gay? Chaucer.

A bevy of fair women, richly gay In gems and wanton dress Milton.
Loose; dissipated; lewd. Colloq. Syn. -- Merry; gleeful; blithe; airy; lively; sprightly, sportive; light-hearted; frolicsome; jolly; jovial; joyous; joyful; glad; showy; splendid; vivacious.