English · Word Candidate

gala

/ˈɡɑːlə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: galas

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Celebratory; festive.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Pomp, show, or festivity.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A competition.

Noun

Examples

a swimming gala

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A member of an androgynous class of priests of the Sumerian goddess Inanna.

Noun

Examples

(6) Some galas/kalûs are mentioned in Pre-Sargonic and Old Babylonian texts in connection with classes of women, maids, and ḫarimtu-women. (7) The gala is sometimes mentioned in the same context with other functionaries […]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “gala” mean?

Celebratory; festive.

Is “gala” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.