Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Homosexual: Relating to or characterized by a sexual or romantic attraction to people of one's own sex, especially men.
   • Lighthearted and cheerful: Full of or showing joy and mirth; merry.
   • Bright and lively in appearance: Brightly colored and showy; vivid.
   • Given to social pleasures: Dedicated to or characterized by a carefree pursuit of pleasure, sometimes to the point of being dissipated.

2. Noun:

   • A homosexual person: A person, especially a man, who is sexually or romantically attracted to people of their own sex.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective (Homosexual):
  • He is a gay man.
  • The city has a vibrant gay community.
• Adjective (Cheerful):
  • The children's gay laughter filled the room.
  • We spent a gay evening with friends.
• Adjective (Bright):
  • She wore a gay scarf with brilliant colors.
  • The room was decorated with gay banners.
• Noun:
  • The organization advocates for the rights of gays and lesbians.

Advanced Usage

• Historical/Literary Use: In older or literary contexts, "gay" primarily meant "joyful" or "carefree."
  • "A poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company." (William Wordsworth)
• Euphemistic Use: Historically used euphemistically to describe a licentious or promiscuous lifestyle.
  • The novel's protagonist led a gay life in Paris.

Variants and Related Words

• Gaily (adverb): In a cheerful, lively, or bright manner.
  • The flags fluttered gaily in the breeze.
• Gaiety (noun): The state or quality of being lighthearted or cheerful.
  • The gaiety of the festival was infectious.

Synonyms

• Adjective (Homosexual): Homosexual, same-sex-loving.
• Adjective (Cheerful): Merry, cheerful, jovial, jolly, mirthful.
• Adjective (Bright): Vivid, colorful, brilliant, showy.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

• "Gay as a lark": Extremely cheerful and happy. (This idiom uses the older, primary meaning of "cheerful.")
  • She was as gay as a lark after hearing the good news.

Adjective

1. homosexual or arousing homosexual desires
2. offering fun and gaiety
   • a festive (or festal) occasion
   • gay and exciting night life
   • a merry evening
3. brightly colored and showy
   • girls decked out in brave new dresses
   • brave banners flying
   • `braw' is a Scottish word
   • a dress a bit too gay for her years
   • birds with gay plumage
4. given to social pleasures often including dissipation
   • led a gay Bohemian life
   • a gay old rogue with an eye for the ladies
5. full of or showing high-spirited merriment
   • when hearts were young and gay
   • a poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company- Wordsworth
   • the jolly crowd at the reunion
   • jolly old Saint Nick
   • a jovial old gentleman
   • have a merry Christmas
   • peals of merry laughter
   • a mirthful laugh
6. bright and pleasant; promoting a feeling of cheer
   • a cheery hello
   • a gay sunny room
   • a sunny smile

Noun

1. someone who practices homosexuality; having a sexual attraction to persons of the same sex