I. ˈgā adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French gai, probably from Old Provençal, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gāhi rapid, hurried, impetuous
1. : excited and merry : manifesting or inclined to joyous exhibition of content or pleasure
gay carefree children
a gay word of greeting
2.
a. : bright and lively in appearance
gay sunny meadows
b. : brilliant in color
the dress a bit too gay for her years
c. chiefly Britain , of poultry : marked with white
Anconas often become gayer with age
3. obsolete
a. : first-class , fine , excellent
b. : speciously or artfully brilliant — used of things immaterial (as reasoning or rhetoric)
4.
a. : given to social pleasures
b. : inclined to the dissipations of society : licentious , loose
c. of a woman : leading an immoral life ; especially : engaging in prostitution
5. dialect England , of health or physical condition : good
not feeling so gay today
looked quite gay after his spell
6.
a. of an animal : alert , keen , lively
b. of a tail : carried high, erect, or curled over the back
the tail of a Persian cat should never be gay
7. : impertinent and forward : brash , fresh — usually used with get
don't get gay with me if you want to keep out of trouble
8.
a. : homosexual
b. : of, relating to, or being a socially integrated group oriented toward and concerned with the welfare of the homosexual
a gay newspaper
Synonyms: see lively
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from gay, adjective
1. obsolete : a gay person or pastime
2. dialect England
a. : a toy or ornament especially for a child
b. : an illustration in a book or paper
haven't got my glasses but I can still read the gays
III. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from gay, adjective
: gaily , brightly , joyously — used in combination
the gay -colored flowers
IV. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: gay (I)
intransitive verb
: to behave gaily : become gay
a bird gaying on a branch before the window
transitive verb
: to make gay, bright, or cheerful — usually used with up
fresh paint and new curtains will gay up a dingy kitchen
V.
variant of gey
VI. noun
: homosexual ; especially : a homosexual male