# gala

/ˈɡæɫə/ (US) · /ɡˈɑːlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gala
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a festive party

noun · CEFR B2

a large, exciting party or a special public celebration.

For teachers: a festive social occasion or a lavish public celebration, often involving performances or entertainment.

- The charity held a star-studded gala to raise money for the new hospital.
- The annual fundraising gala attracted the city's most prominent philanthropists, who gathered for an evening of live music and silent auctions.

### 2. a sports competition

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a special sports event, especially a competition for swimming.

For teachers: a sporting competition or meet, most commonly used in the context of swimming or gymnastics.

- The local swimming club is hosting a gala this Saturday for all age groups.
- The regional swimming gala featured over twenty clubs competing for the championship trophy in various relay and individual events.

### 3. a type of apple

noun · CEFR B2

a popular type of sweet, red-skinned apple.

For teachers: a specific cultivar of domestic apple known for its sweet flavour and red-striped skin.

- I usually buy Gala apples because they are crunchy and sweet.
- The orchard specialises in several varieties, but the Gala remains their top-selling apple due to its consistent texture and sweetness.

### 4. festive

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

describing something that is celebratory or very special.

For teachers: characterised by festivity or celebration; often used to describe an atmosphere or specific attire.

- The town was in a gala mood for the king's visit.
- The streets were transformed into a gala spectacle, draped in colourful banners and filled with the sound of brass bands.

Usage: Usually placed before a noun.

## Examples

- The school is hosting a swimming gala this weekend.
- The charity gala raised over ten thousand dollars for the new children's hospital wing.
- The evening concluded with a black-tie gala, where local athletes were honored for their contributions to the community and their performance in the recent championships.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.