gaiety

or gay·e·ty

[ gey-i-tee ]

noun

, plural gai·e·ties.

1. the state of being joyous, vivacious, or cheerful.

   Synonyms: cheerfulness, sportiveness, liveliness, joyousness, joviality, vivacity, hilarity, jollity, glee, mirth, merriment

   Antonyms: sadness

2. Often gaieties. merrymaking or festivity:

   the gaieties of the New Year season.

3. showiness; finery:

   gaiety of dress.

   Synonyms: gaudiness, flashiness, glitter, brilliance

gaiety

/ ˈɡeɪətɪ /

noun

1. the state or condition of being merry, bright, or lively
2. festivity; merrymaking

Usage

See gay

Other Words From

• su·per·gai·e·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaiety¹

1625–35; < French gaieté, equivalent to gai gay + -té -ty ²

Example Sentences

In 1842, the Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette wrote: "Such a scene of gaiety was never before witnessed on Salisbury Plain… Parties of gentlemen and elegantly dressed ladies were scattered about in all directions."

From BBC

Beneath the gaiety and carousing ran an undercurrent of anguish: The country remains locked in a ferocious war with Russia.

From Washington Times

Beneath the gaiety and carousing ran an undercurrent of anguish: the country remains locked in a ferocious war with Russia.

From Seattle Times

The staging strenuously strives to leave an impression of fun in capital letters, but the forced gaiety creates quite a racket.

From Los Angeles Times

Where the drops are sparse in detail, the frame delivers in an undeniable elegance and gaiety.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• good humor
• hilarity
• joie de vivre