gaily

[ gey-lee ]

adverb

1. with merriment; merrily; joyfully; cheerfully.
2. with showiness; showily.

gaily

/ ˈɡeɪlɪ /

adverb

1. in a lively manner; cheerfully
2. with bright colours; showily

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaily¹

A Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; gay, -ly

Example Sentences

The butterflies enter first, quivering gaily atop their sticks.

From New York Times

A gaily canonical return to the anthological form, swashbuckling spirit, social commentary and puckish humor of what is now referred to as “The Original Series,” with technological upgrades and built-out characters.

From Los Angeles Times

He played Stuff on the night I attended, gaily tromping around with shopping bags as Everybody, looking for some support, comes to recognize that this embodiment of acquisitiveness cares nothing about salvation.

From Los Angeles Times

The scene in question shows her determination to get them on her page: Julia gaily waltzes into the offices of WGBH, cake plate in hand and ready to negotiate with a side of sugar.

From Salon

Texts from the Karnak temple complex near Luxor describe baboons as “announcing” Ra while “they dance for him, jump gaily for him, sing praises for him, and shout out for him.”

From Scientific American

Related Words

• brilliantly
• cheerfully
• colorfully
• flamboyantly
• gleefully
• joyfully
• merrily
• splendidly