gaiety
gb/ɡˈeɪti/ us/ɡˈeɪti/
C1
English
~ 7200
vidámság, jókedv, társasági élet, társasági programok, színpompa, színesség
NOUN
C1
1
Usage pattern:
the gaiety of [someone/something]; full of gaiety
The room was filled with music, laughter, and an unexpected gaiety that lifted everyone’s spirits.
A szobát zene, nevetés és valami váratlan vidámság töltötte meg, ami mindenkit jobb kedvre derített.
Her sudden gaiety at dinner surprised her friends, who had expected her to be quiet and serious.
A vacsorán mutatott hirtelen jókedve meglepte a barátait, mert arra számítottak, hogy csendes és komoly lesz.
Bright lights and children’s voices brought a welcome gaiety to the otherwise dull street.
After weeks of tension, there was a new gaiety in the office once the project finally ended.
Learner examples
There was a feeling of gaiety at the party.
A bulin vidám hangulat uralkodott.
His gaiety made the other people in the room smile.
A jókedve mosolyra fakasztotta a szobában lévő többieket.
We enjoyed the gaiety of the festival.
The children’s gaiety changed the mood of the house.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think *gaiety* means sexual orientation because it looks like *gay*. In modern English, *gaiety* almost always means cheerful, lively happiness, not sexual identity.
Meaning
cheerful, lively mood or activity
Collocations
air of gaiety
|sense of gaiety
|burst of gaiety
|full of gaiety
|gaiety and laughter
|a touch of gaiety
Synonyms
merriment (Often used for noisy, shared fun and laughter, especially in social situations.)
Antonyms
gloom (Suggests a sad, dark, or depressed mood, the opposite of bright and lively gaiety.)
Themes
emotions
|social_life
|celebrations
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling or mood of bright, happy, and lively fun, shown by people or in a place.
A state of cheerful, lively happiness, especially shown in people’s behavior or in the atmosphere of a place.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
2
Usage pattern:
the gaieties of [a place/time]; social gaieties
After weeks of social gaieties, he longed for a quiet evening at home.
Hetekig tartó társasági élet után egy csendes, otthoni estére vágyott.
She threw herself into the gaieties of the season, attending every concert and party she was invited to.
Teljesen belemerült az évad társasági életébe: minden koncertre és partira elment, ahová meghívták.
The novel contrasts the empty gaieties of high society with the harsh lives of the poor.
Tired of the city’s constant gaieties, they moved to a small village by the sea.
Learner examples
They enjoyed the gaieties of city life.
Élvezték a városi társasági életet.
After many gaieties at Christmas, she needed to rest.
A sok karácsonyi társasági program után pihenésre volt szüksége.
He was not interested in the social gaieties of his rich friends.
The book shows the gaieties and the problems of young people in the city.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the general mood sense and use it for a single small party. In this usage, *gaieties* usually refers to many social events or to a lifestyle full of parties and entertainment.
Meaning
lively social events or entertainments
Collocations
the gaieties of the season
|social gaieties
|the gaieties of city life
|escape from the gaieties
|tiring gaieties
Synonyms
festivities (Stresses celebrations and special events, especially around holidays or important dates.)
Antonyms
drudgery (Emphasizes dull, repetitive work or daily tasks, contrasted with enjoyable social gaieties.)
Themes
social_life
|leisure
|celebrations
|arts_entertainment
|relationships
|daily_life
Definition
Fun social events like parties and shows, seen together as the entertaining part of life.
Lively and enjoyable social activities, parties, or entertainments, especially when thought of as a group or as part of a lifestyle.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
3
Usage pattern:
the gaiety of [clothing/decoration/place]
The gaiety of her dress stood out among the dark suits and gray coats.
Ruhájának színpompája feltűnt a sötét öltönyök és szürke kabátok között.
Red lanterns and flowers added a welcome gaiety to the narrow street.
A piros lampionok és a virágok üdítő színpompát kölcsönöztek a szűk utcának.
He disliked the forced gaiety of the decorations, which seemed out of place in the somber building.
The children’s drawings brought a splash of gaiety to the classroom walls.
Learner examples
The flowers gave the room a new gaiety.
A virágok új színpompát adtak a szobának.
She liked the gaiety of his colorful shirt.
Tetszett neki az inge színpompája.
Bright lights and posters added gaiety to the hall.
The town wanted more gaiety in the main square.
Meaning
bright, colorful, cheerful appearance
Collocations
gaiety of dress
|gaiety of colors
|gaiety of decoration
|gaiety of the scene
|gaiety of the room
Synonyms
colorfulness (Focuses only on having many bright colors, without necessarily including the emotional sense of cheerfulness implied by *gaiety*.)
Antonyms
drabness (Suggests dull, plain, or gray appearance, the opposite of bright and cheerful gaiety in appearance.)
Themes
appearance
|art
|emotions
|arts_entertainment
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Bright and colorful look in clothes or places that makes them seem happy.
Brightness and colorfulness in clothes, decoration, or surroundings that gives a cheerful impression.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gaiety
IPA
GB/ɡˈeɪti/
US/ɡˈeɪti/
Syllables & stress
gaiety (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gaiety)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gaiety
- Plural: gaiety
Word family
Expressions
an air of gaiety
1/ən ˈɛɹ əv ɡˈeɪti/
fixed phrase
a noticeable feeling of cheerfulness
A clear feeling or quality of happy, lively fun that you can sense in a person or place.
Examples
- Despite the bad news, there was still an air of gaiety in the crowded square.
- Her bright clothes and easy laugh gave the office an air of gaiety.
the gaiety of nations
1/ðə ɡˈeɪti əv nˈeɪʃənz/
idiom
literary
source of amusement for many people
A humorous literary phrase for the fun and amusement that many people share, often used about someone who entertains everyone.
Examples
- His death was described as a great loss to the gaiety of nations.
- As a comedian, she liked to joke that she lived only to increase the gaiety of nations.