Definition of GAY (original) (raw)
1
a
: of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to people of one's same sex —often used to refer to men only
gay and lesbian members of the community
b
: of, relating to, or intended for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, etc.
2
a
: happily excited : merry
b
: keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits
4
: given to social pleasures
sometimes disparaging + offensive; see usage paragraph below : a gay person
especially : a gay man
Usage of Gay
Use of the noun gay to refer to a particular person or particular people is commonly considered offensive. Phrases that employ the adjective are preferred
over such uses as
and
which employ the noun. The noun does, however, function as a neutral or positive self-descriptor, and in its plural form is common especially in phrases with other plural nouns that relate to sexual orientation and gender identity.
the rights of gays and lesbians
It is also sometimes used neutrally to refer in a general way to gay people.
gays serving in the military
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for gay
a lively debate on the issues
animated applies to what is spirited and active.
an animated discussion of current events
vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.
sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.
a tuneful, sprightly musical
gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.
the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s
Examples of gay in a Sentence
Adjective
The band was playing a gay tune. the gayest of the spring flowers
Recent Examples on the Web
The two were drawn to her not only for her over-the-top style, including her bold eye makeup and mannerisms, but also her compassionate interview with pastor Steve Pieters, a gay man living with AIDS, in 1985 on her popular Christian television show Tammy’s House Party. —
Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Oct. 2024 And American Horror Story fans, did your ears perk up when Father Charlie referenced the serial-killer nurse who targeted gay men in the 1980s — aka the villain featured in AHS: NYC? —Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 4 Oct. 2024 And today, he would be allowed to reveal his feelings to Aaron Samuels, and then Aaron Samuels was also secretly gay. —Stacy Lambe, People.com, 3 Oct. 2024 And, in Nigeria, being openly gay is an actual danger. —Shirley Nwangwa, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gay 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French gai, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German gāhi quick, sudden
Noun
derivative of gay entry 1
First Known Use
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a
Noun
1953, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of gay was in the 13th century
Dictionary Entries Near gay
Cite this Entry
“Gay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gay. Accessed 17 Oct. 2024.
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Last Updated: 7 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences
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