# gay

/ˈɡeɪ/ (US) · /ɡˈeɪ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. homosexual

adjective · CEFR A2

describing someone who is sexually or emotionally attracted to people of their own gender.

For teachers: pertaining to or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to persons of one's own gender.

- He felt comfortable coming out as gay to his supportive family.
- The city's annual pride parade celebrates the history and rights of the gay community and other marginalized groups.

### 2. happy or lively

adjective · CEFR B2 · Archaic · Literary

feeling happy, cheerful, or full of energy.

For teachers: characterized by happiness, cheerfulness, or high spirits.

- The children had a gay time playing in the garden all afternoon.
- The ballroom was filled with gay laughter and the sound of upbeat music from the live orchestra.

### 3. bright or colorful

adjective · CEFR C1 · Archaic · Literary

having bright, beautiful, or cheerful colors.

For teachers: vividly colored, bright, or showy in appearance.

- The garden was filled with gay flowers of every possible color.
- She wore a gay silk scarf that contrasted sharply with her otherwise somber attire.

### 5. a homosexual person

noun · CEFR B1

a person who is attracted to people of the same gender.

For teachers: a person who is homosexual, most commonly referring to men.

- The club was a popular meeting place for local gays and their friends.
- The activist fought for the rights of gays and lesbians to be treated equally under the law.

## Examples

- He is a gay man who lives with his partner.
- The city hosts a large parade every summer to celebrate the history and rights of the gay community.
- Sociological studies often examine how gay identity intersects with other demographic factors to influence a person's experience within the broader professional landscape.

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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.