Word forms: plural gays, comparative gayer, superlative gayest
1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A gay person is homosexual.
...the gay community.
Synonyms: homosexual, lesbian, pink [informal], same-sex More Synonyms of gay
2. adjective
A gay person is fun to be with because they are lively and cheerful.
[old-fashioned]
I am happy and free, in good health, gay and cheerful.
Synonyms: cheerful, happy, bright, glad More Synonyms of gay
3. adjective
A gay object is brightly coloured and pretty to look at.
[old-fashioned]
I like gay, relaxing paintings.
More Synonyms of gay
gay in British English
(ɡeɪ)
adjective
1.
a.
homosexual
b.
of or for homosexuals
a gay club
2.
a.
carefree and merry
a gay temperament
b.
brightly coloured; brilliant
a gay hat
c.
given to pleasure, esp in social entertainment
a gay life
noun
3.
a homosexual person
▶ USAGE Gayness is the word used to refer to homosexuality. The noun which refers to being carefreeand merry is gaiety
Derived forms
gayness (ˈgayness)
noun
Word origin
C13: from Old French gai, from Old Provençal, of Germanic origin
Gay in British English
(ɡeɪ)
noun
John. 1685–1732, English poet and dramatist; author of The Beggar's Opera (1728)
Gay in American English
(geɪ)
John1685-1732; Eng. poet & playwright
gay in American English
(geɪ)
adjective
1.
joyous and lively; merry; happy; lighthearted
2.
bright; brilliant
gay colors
3.
given to social life and pleasures
a gay life
4.
wanton; licentious
a gay dog
5. US
a.
homosexual
now often used specif. of male homosexuals
b.
of, for, or relating to homosexuals, often, specif., male homosexuals
gay liberation
noun US
6.
a homosexual; esp., a homosexual man
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈlively
Derived forms
gayness (ˈgayness)
noun
Word origin
ME gai < OFr < ? Frank *gahi, swift, impetuous, akin to Ger jäh
Synonyms of 'gay'
homosexual, camp, lesbian, pink
cheerful, happy, bright, glad
colourful, rich, bright, brilliant
merry, festive, playful, frivolous
homosexual, lesbian, queer
More Synonyms of gay
In other languages
gay
British English: gay ADJECTIVE
A gay person is homosexual.
The quality of life for gay men has improved over the last two decades.
American English: gay
Brazilian Portuguese: gay
Chinese: 同性恋的
European Spanish: gay
French: homosexuel
German: schwul
Italian: omosessuale
Japanese: 同性愛の
Korean: 동성애의
European Portuguese: gay
Latin American Spanish: gay
All related terms of 'gay'
gay couple
A couple is two people who are married , living together, or having a sexual relationship.
Gay Gordons
an energetic old-time dance
Gay-Lussac
Joseph Louis ( ʒozɛf lwi ). 1778–1850, French physicist and chemist : discovered the law named after him (1808), investigated the effects of terrestrial magnetism , isolated boron and cyanogen , and discovered methods of manufacturing sulphuric and oxalic acids
gay-friendly
welcoming to homosexual people
gay marriage
A marriage is the act of marrying someone, or the ceremony at which this is done.
Gay-Lussac's law
the principle that gases react together in volumes (measured at the same temperature and pressure ) that bear a simple ratio to each other and to the gaseous products
blade
The blade of a knife , axe , or saw is the edge, which is used for cutting.
Charles' law
the principle that all gases expand equally for the same rise of temperature if they are held at constant pressure : also that the pressures of all gases increase equally for the same rise of temperature if they are held at constant volume . The law is now known to be only true for ideal gases
Chinese translation of 'gay'
gay
(ɡeɪ)
adj
(= homosexual) 同性恋(戀)的 (tóngxìngliàn de)
(o.f., = cheerful)[person]欢(歡)快的 (huānkuài de)
[colour, music, dress]明快的 (míngkuài de)
n(c)
(= homosexual) 同性恋(戀) (tóngxìngliàn) (个(個), gè)
1 (adjective)
Definition
homosexual
a programme in which six gay men talked about their lives
Synonyms
homosexual
a homosexual relationship
lesbian
a lesbian couple
pink (informal)
same-sex
sapphic
2 (adjective)
Definition
carefree and merry
I am in good health, gay and cheerful.
Synonyms
cheerful
They are both very cheerful in spite of their circumstances.
happy
I'm just happy to be back running.
bright
The boy was so bright and animated.
glad
I'm glad I decided to go after all.
lively
She had a sweet, lively personality.
sparkling
He is sparkling and versatile in front of the camera.
sunny
The staff wear big sunny smiles.
jolly
She was a jolly, kindhearted woman.
animated
Everyone became more animated.
merry
upbeat (informal)
buoyant
She was in a buoyant mood.
cheery
He is loved by everyone for his cheery disposition and sense of humour.
joyous
a joyous celebration of life
joyful
We're a very joyful people.
carefree
She remembered her years of carefree youth.
jaunty
The novel is altogether jauntier than these quotations imply.
chirpy (informal)
You're very chirpy today - have you won the lottery or something?
vivacious
a beautiful, vivacious and charming young woman
jovial
Father Whittaker appeared to be in a jovial mood.
gleeful
He took a gleeful delight in proving them all wrong.
debonair
blithe
His spirit was anything but blithe below the surface.
insouciant
He worked with insouciant disregard for convention.
full of beans (informal)
light-hearted
They were light-hearted and prepared to enjoy life.
Opposites
serious
,
sad
, grave,
unhappy
,
grim
,
miserable
,
sober
,
melancholy
,
solemn
,
sombre
,
sedate
,
down in the dumps (informal)
,
cheerless
3 (adjective)
Definition
bright and cheerful
I like gay, vibrant posters.
Synonyms
colourful
Everyone was dressed in colourful clothes.
rich
an attractive, glossy rich red colour
bright
a bright red dress
brilliant
The event was held in brilliant sunshine.
vivid
a vivid blue sky
flamboyant
He wears flamboyant clothes.
flashy
a flashy sports car
gaudy
a gaudy orange-and-purple hat
garish
garish purple curtains
showy
They were smart but not showy.
Opposites
conservative
,
dull
,
sombre
,
drab
,
colourless
4 (adjective)
We had a gay old time.
Synonyms
merry
He was much loved for his merry nature.
festive
The town has a festive holiday atmosphere.
playful
They tumbled around like playful children.
frivolous
fun-loving
rollicking
outrageous, and a rollicking good read
convivial
Enjoy simple but satisfying food in the bistro's convivial atmosphere.
rakish
pleasure-seeking
frolicsome
ludic (literary)
waggish
sportive
gamesome
Usage note
By far the most common and up-to-date use of the word gay is in reference to being homosexual. Other senses of the word have become uncommon and dated.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of animated
Definition
interesting and lively
Everyone became more animated.
Synonyms
lively,
spirited,
quick,
excited,
active,
vital,
dynamic,
enthusiastic,
passionate,
vivid,
vigorous,
energetic,
vibrant,
brisk,
buoyant,
ardent,
airy,
fervent,
zealous,
elated,
ebullient,
sparky,
sprightly,
vivacious,
gay (old-fashioned),
alive and kicking,
full of beans (informal),
zestful
in the sense of blithe
Definition
very happy or cheerful
His spirit was anything but blithe below the surface.