gala

USAGE SUMMARY

"gala" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective, noun, or verb. Examples: She attended the lavish gala in her finest dress; The school held an annual gala to raise money; She gala-ed around school in her new dress.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Later, the Queen was given a five-minute standing ovation as she went on to the stage to meet performers after a gala concert at the Dublin Conference Centre.

The Guardian

Prose took to Facebook to elaborate on her decision to withdraw from next week's PEN gala in New York over the free speech organisation's decision to present the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo with the PEN/Toni and James C Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award.

The Guardian - Books

Describing himself as "immensely saddened" by the situation, Rushdie told Prose he used the phrase knowingly, because Prose, Carey, Ondaatje, Cole, Kushner and Selasi had chosen to "make a political ACT", by pulling out of the gala.

The Guardian - Books

Taking to the stage to introduce his new film, The Descendants, at the mayor's gala, the maker of Sideways and Election sported a bright blue suit — how else should you dress to outshine George Clooney?

The Guardian - Film

Philomena, which got a gala screening at the London film festival after its world premiere at the Venice film festival in August, tells the true story of Philomena Lee's search for the son she was forced to give up for adoption in the 1950s by nuns who ran an Irish convent where she gave birth.

The Guardian - Film

Since the American wing of PEN, the international writers' association, decided to honour Charlie Hebdo with a Freedom of Expression Courage award, six high-profile writers – including Peter Carey, Michael Ondaatje and Francine Prose – have decided not to attend next month's PEN gala in New York in protest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Neil Gaiman, Alison Bechdel and Art Spiegelman have stepped forward to host tables at Tuesday's PEN gala in New York honouring the work of Charlie Hebdo, after writers including Peter Carey and Michael Ondaatje withdrew last week in protest.

The Guardian - Books

The industry newspaper Screen Daily reported that a group of women in their 50s were turned away from the gala screening of Todd Haynes's Carol for wearing flat shoes, while a film producer who had part of her left foot amputated has also said she was reprimanded for her lack of heels.

The Guardian - Film

Many would like to see a government-sponsored gala event.

The Guardian - Music

'And then these gala games are fine to help promote beach football, but it's not the same as a competitive match.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

As it is, the world has been left to decode the post-gala lunge by Solange Knowles at Jay Z from other sources – primarily, she and her sister's accounts on Instagram, the world's foremost wire service for passive aggressively-rendered news.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event as a "gala", ensure the context reflects its celebratory and often formal nature. Consider specifying the purpose of the gala (e.g., fundraising, anniversary) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "gala" to describe casual or informal gatherings. "Gala" implies a level of formality and grandeur that is not appropriate for everyday events.

Linguistic Context

The word "gala" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a festive celebration or a showy event. It can also act as an adjective, describing something as celebratory or festive. The word is also a proper noun, referring to both a type of apple and a town. The Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

29%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "gala" is a versatile word primarily used as a noun or adjective to denote festive and often formal events. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Its prevalence is confirmed by the numerous examples sourced from news and media, business contexts, and other domains. The analysis reveals that "gala" typically maintains a neutral to formal register, emphasizing its appropriateness for describing significant and celebratory occasions. Remember to use "gala" in contexts that reflect its inherent sense of festivity and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

festive celebration

Replaces "gala" with a more descriptive term emphasizing the celebratory aspect.

formal soiree

Replaces "gala" with a term that implies a sophisticated and elegant evening event.

black-tie affair

Indicates the dress code and formality of the "gala".

fancy ball

Replaces "gala" with a term that indicates a formal dance event.

lavish party

Replaces "gala" with a term emphasizing the extravagance and opulence.

benefit dinner

Highlights the fundraising aspect of the "gala", focusing on a dinner format.

grand reception

Replaces "gala" with a term emphasizing a formal welcoming event.

charity event

Specifies the purpose of the "gala" as a fundraising activity.

jubilee celebration

Indicates a celebration marking a significant anniversary or milestone.

promotional event

Specifies the purpose of the "gala" as a marketing and brand awareness campaign.

FAQs

How can I use "gala" in a sentence?

You can use "gala" as a noun to describe a festive event, as in "The annual fundraising "gala" was a great success". It can also be used as an adjective, such as in "gala event".

What are some synonyms for "gala"?

Synonyms for "gala" include "celebration", "soiree", "ball", "festivity", or "benefit", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "gala" to describe a small, informal party?

No, "gala" implies a formal and often large-scale event. Using it to describe a small, informal party would be inappropriate. Instead, use words like "gathering", "party", or "get-together".

What is the difference between a "gala" and a "dinner"?

A ""gala"" is a broader term for a festive and often formal event, which may include a dinner, entertainment, and other activities. A "dinner" is primarily focused on the meal itself, although it can be part of a larger event.