| / English Dictionary |
GAY
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Someone who is sexually attracted to persons of the same sex
Synonyms:
gay; homo; homophile; homosexual
Classified under:
Hypernyms ("gay" is a kind of...):
individual; mortal; person; somebody; someone; soul (a human being)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "gay"):
closet queen (a negative term for a homosexual man who chooses not to reveal his sexual orientation)
fag; faggot; fagot; fairy; nance; pansy; poof; poove; pouf; queen; queer (offensive term for a homosexual man)
gay woman; lesbian; tribade (a female homosexual)
Derivation:
gay (homosexual or arousing homosexual desires)
II. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
Example:
a sunny smile
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Similar:
cheerful (being full of or promoting cheer; having or showing good spirits)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Brightly colored and showy
Example:
birds with gay plumage
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Similar:
colorful; colourful (striking in variety and interest)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Homosexual or arousing homosexual desires
Synonyms:
gay; homophile; queer
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
homosexual (sexually attracted to members of your own sex)
Derivation:
gay (someone who is sexually attracted to persons of the same sex)
gayness (a sexual attraction to (or sexual relations with) persons of the same sex)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Given to social pleasures often including dissipation
Example:
a gay old rogue with an eye for the ladies
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
indulgent (characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Offering fun and gaiety
Example:
a merry evening
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
joyous (full of or characterized by joy)
Sense 6
Meaning:
Full of or showing high-spirited merriment
Example:
a mirthful laugh
Synonyms:
gay; jocund; jolly; jovial; merry; mirthful
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
joyous (full of or characterized by joy)
Context examples:
"Nay, Edward," said Marianne, "you need not reproach me. You are not very gay yourself."
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
Nearer and clearer, swelling up out of the night, came the gay marching lilt.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
But checking himself, he added, in a gayer tone, Is it in address that he improves?
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
All round, the thousands of carriages and horses were dotted over the moor, and the slopes were gay with tents and booths.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
But the room was gay with firelight.
(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
One of these, the parlor, gay with an ingrain carpet and dolorous with a funeral card and a death-picture of one of her numerous departed babes, was kept strictly for company.
(Martin Eden, by Jack London)
The countryman stopped to ask what was o’clock; this led to further chat; and Hans told him all his luck, how he had so many good bargains, and how all the world went gay and smiling with him.
(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)
When the Scarecrow found himself among his friends again, he was so happy that he hugged them all, even the Lion and Toto; and as they walked along he sang Tol-de-ri-de-oh! at every step, he felt so gay.
(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)
Thus passed a long ten minutes, till they were again joined by Thorpe, who, coming to them with a gayer look, said, Well, I have settled the matter, and now we may all go tomorrow with a safe conscience.
(Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen)
"Look at his wings," said he, "he reminds me rather of a West Indian insect; one does not often see so large and gay a night-rover in England; there! he is flown."
(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)
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