n.
Pronunciation: ' g ā
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French gai, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German g ā hi quick, sudden
Date: 14th century
1 a : happily excited : MERRY <in a gay mood> b : keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits <a bird's gay spring song>
2 a : BRIGHT , LIVELY < gay sunny meadows> b : brilliant in color
3 : given to social pleasures also : LICENTIOUS
4 a : HOMOSEXUAL < gay men> b : of, relating to, or used by homosexuals <the gay rights movement> <a gay bar>
synonyms see LIVELY
– gay adverb
– gay · ness noun