gaiety

noun

ˈgā-ə-tē How to pronounce gaiety (audio)
variants also gayety
Definition of gaietynext
1
as in attire
dressy clothing attendees of the masquerade ball arrived dressed in all their gaiety

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in festivity
joyful or festive activity loved the gaiety of the annual harvest festival the gaiety of the wedding reception

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in cheerfulness
a mood characterized by high spirits and amusement and often accompanied by laughter the gaiety of children enjoying an outing at an amusement park

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gaiety The service itself is fleet on its feet, which lends to the gaiety of simply being in this space, with a noise level not to high (except for a wholly out of place intrusion of thumping music Boulud would never have in France). — John Mariani, Forbes.com, 25 Mar. 2026 Later, for nearly 60 years, the lights were out and the gaiety muted in this once-vibrant community. — Dorothy Jenkins Fields, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026 For Godard, humor is performative, not just a way of getting a laugh but of getting a rise—or of setting the clock back and imposing a boyish gaiety on the stern responsibilities of adults. — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2025 The opening Allegro vacillates between punchy jabs and fluttery gaiety. — Sheila Regan, Twin Cities, 13 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gaiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gaiety
  1. attire
  2. festivity
  3. cheerfulness
  4. finery
  5. celebration
  6. glee
  7. costume
  8. jollity
Noun
  • Traditional Afghan attire always included the hijab, which Ayesha says helps to maintain modesty.
    — Mark Sappenfield, Christian Science Monitor, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The intricate patterns used to fill the bodies could indicate ceremonial or formal attire of some sort.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of attire
Noun
  • And the crowd on-hand watching the festivities roared in amusement.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In high school, Messick and his buddies would gather in one of their backyard pools, order pizza and watch the All-Star week festivities.
    — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of festivity
Noun
  • Kikuko sometimes mistook Shigejiro’s cheerfulness for egoism owing to the distortions produced by her illness.
    — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Positive qualities—promptness, diligence, cheerfulness—sped up your ascent through the ranks; negative ones—laziness, dissipation, late mornings—slowed it down.
    — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 23 July 2026
Definition of cheerfulness
Noun
  • Splurging on finery here even extends to exhausted parents — Makie also has designs for adults.
    — New York Times, New York Times, 31 July 2026
  • While George favors blue suits over the gray ones that dominated a young William’s wardrobe, the royal relatives still look alike when they’re dressed in their formal finery.
    — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 22 July 2026
Definition of finery
Noun
  • Caterham and her family are marking her milestone birthday this year with a private celebration, according to Guinness World Records.
    — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The boat ride was part of a birthday celebration, a law enforcement official told CNN.
    — Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of celebration
Noun
  • Her parents approach sexuality head on, almost with glee, which is certainly unusual for their time and place.
    — Deborah Treisman, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
  • His earlier display of emotion made the song’s meaning hit even harder — and as the crowd erupted into jumps and shouts of glee, Smith stood there, a grin growing on his lipsticked mouth.
    — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of glee
Noun
  • Throughout the day, visitors can see Birds and Exotics of the World, Pirates Dinner Adventure, Wild Garden Bellydance, MacSilver’s Irish Pirates and, finally, the costume contest on the main stage.
    — Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Just ask the guy running around Westwood in a literal bear costume earlier this week.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of costume
Noun
  • The finale is an ambiguous mix of jollity and agitation, with a piccolo shrieking above a militant march.
    — Scott Cantrell, Dallas Morning News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Winston Peacock’s Ghost of Christmas Present is especially winning with decidedly John Belushi-esque jollity.
    — Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 10 Dec. 2025
Definition of jollity

Browse Nearby Words

gagsters
gaiety
gaily
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Cite this Entry

“Gaiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gaiety. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of gaiety for Spanish Speakers

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