/ geɪ; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
1.
( of people, especially men ) sexually attracted to people of the same sex
SYN homosexual :
gay men
I didn't know he was gay.
Is she gay?
OPP straight
2.
[ only before noun ] connected with people who are gay :
a gay club / bar
the lesbian and gay community
3.
( gayer , gayest ) ( old-fashioned ) happy and full of fun :
gay laughter
4.
( old-fashioned ) brightly coloured :
The garden was gay with red geraniums.
—see also gaiety , gaily
•
IDIOMS
- with gay abandon
■ noun
a person who is homosexual , especially a man
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in sense 3): from Old French gai , of unknown origin.