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gaiety

 - 3 dictionary results

gai⋅e⋅ty

  [gey-i-tee]
Use gaiety in a Sentence
–noun, plural -ties.
1. the state of being gay or cheerful; gay spirits.
2. Often, gaieties. merrymaking or festivity: the gaieties of the New Year season.
3. showiness; finery: gaiety of dress.
Also, gayety.

Origin:
1625–35; < F gaieté, equiv. to gai gay + -té -ty 2

Synonyms:
1. merriment, mirth, glee, jollity, joyousness, liveliness, sportiveness, hilarity, vivacity, cheerfulness, joviality. 3. brilliance, glitter, flashiness, gaudiness.

Antonyms:
1. sadness.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gaiety
gai·e·ty also gay·e·ty   (gā'ĭ-tē)   
n.   pl. gai·e·ties also gay·e·ties

  1. A state of joyful exuberance or merriment; vivacity.

  2. Merry or joyful activity; festivity: making preparations for the holiday gaieties.

  3. Bright color or showiness, as of dress; finery.


[French gaieté, from Old French, from gai, cheerful; see gay.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

gaiety 
1647, from Fr. gaieté, from gai "gay" (see gay).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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