I. ˈgā adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French gai, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gāhi 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
II. noun
Date: 1953
: homosexual ; especially : a homosexual male