gayness

[ gey-nis ]

noun

1. gay or lesbian sexual orientation or behavior.
2. Older Use. the state or quality of being bright or showy:

   the gayness of the décor.

3. Older Use. the state or quality of being merry or lively:

   her gayness of spirit.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gayness¹

First recorded in 1400–50 gayness fordefs 2, 3, and in 1950–55 gayness fordef 1; Middle English gaynesse, gainesse ; gay ( def ) + -ness ( def )

Example Sentences

Marshall told me that Reilly — a Tony Award-winning actor who studied under Uta Hagen — never really hid his gayness publicly as he became more successful.

From New York Times

Your possible gayness had been a subject of debate among your students, not in a malicious way, more in a fun if gossipy way.

From Los Angeles Times

That chance encounter was an awakening that helped fuel Stellar’s decades-long drive to take pictures of unapologetic, maverick gayness as much as he can fit into a day.

From New York Times

But my daughters claim I'm suppressing my gayness, and maybe they have a point: I watch "The Crown," I'm obsessively neat and I appreciate women's fashion.

From Salon

A Georgia elementary school principal panicked, pulled the plug on a Batman lecture and apologized to parents because gayness was part of the presentation.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ardor
• buoyancy
• eagerness
• ebullience
• excitement
• exhilaration
• fervor
• high spirits
• spirit
• vigor
• vitality
• zest