gay
gb/ɡˈeɪ/ us/ɡˈeɪ/
B1
English
~ 3500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
state
1
Attracted to same-sex people
Liking or loving people of the same gender.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is gay
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'gay' with 'happy' in modern usage, but in current everyday English, this meaning is far more common.
Synonyms
homosexual (More formal and clinical; less common in casual conversation.)
Antonyms
straight (Refers to being attracted to people of the opposite sex.)
Collocations
openly gay
|gay couple
|gay rights
|gay community
|gay marriage
Themes
identity
|relationships
|sexuality
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Mark came out as gay when he was in college.
- They are a gay couple who have been together for ten years.
- The city has a vibrant gay community.
- Gay rights activists gathered outside the courthouse.
- She realized she was gay at a young age.
Learner examples
- My friend is gay.
- He told his parents he is gay.
- They are a gay couple.
- She is happy to be gay.
adjective
B2
property
2
Relating to homosexual identity or culture
About people who like the same gender or their way of life.
Usage pattern:
gay [noun]
Synonyms
LGBTQ+ (Broader term that includes other sexual and gender identities beyond gay.)
Collocations
gay pride
|gay bar
|gay rights movement
|gay literature
Themes
identity
|culture
|sexuality
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The festival celebrates gay pride and diversity.
- He runs a popular gay bar in the city center.
- Gay literature has gained more recognition over the years.
- She volunteers for a gay rights organization.
Learner examples
- We went to a gay pride event.
- A gay bar is a place for gay people.
- Gay literature is in the library.
adjective
informal
C1
property
3
Slang for bad or uncool
A slang word meaning bad or not good (can be offensive).
Usage pattern:
[something] is gay
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly use this slang without realizing it is considered offensive and derogatory in modern English.
Synonyms
lame (Informal; means uninteresting or uncool without the sexual orientation connotation.)
Antonyms
cool (Informal; meaning good, stylish, or desirable.)
Themes
slang
|judgment
|communication
|daily_life
Examples
- That movie was so gay, I wish we hadn't gone.
- It's pretty gay that they canceled the concert at the last minute.
- His excuse for being late was totally gay.
Learner examples
- That game is gay.
- It is gay that we lost.
- This rule is gay.
adjective
literary
C1
property
4
Happy and carefree
Old-fashioned: happy and full of fun.
Usage pattern:
[someone] looks gay / [a] gay [time]
Common mistake:
Learners might mistakenly think this meaning is common today; it is now mostly historical or literary.
Synonyms
cheerful (Neutral modern term for happy and positive mood.)
Antonyms
sad (Feeling unhappy or sorrowful.)
Collocations
gay mood
|gay laughter
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They had a gay time at the party.
- Her face was bright with a gay smile.
- The garden was filled with gay flowers.
Learner examples
- We had a gay time.
- She gave me a gay smile.
- The room was full of gay music.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gay
IPA
GB/ɡˈeɪ/
US/ɡˈeɪ/
Syllables & stress
gay (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gay)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: gay
- Comparative: gayer
- Superlative: gayest
Word family
Forms
gayer
adjective
gayest
adjective
Core family
gayness
noun
Related words
homosexual
adjective B1
homosexuality
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
straight
adjective A1
heterosexual
adjective B2
Expressions
gay community
1/ɡˈeɪ kəmjˈunɪti/
fixed phrase
Group of people who identify as homosexuals
All the people who are gay and share ideas and culture.
Examples
- The city has a strong and visible gay community.
- He is well-known in the local gay community.
gay marriage
1/ɡˈeɪ mˈɛɹɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Marriage between two people of the same sex
When two men or two women get married by law.
Examples
- Gay marriage is legal in many countries.
- They attended their friends' gay marriage ceremony last weekend.
gay pride
1/ɡˈeɪ pɹˈaɪd/
fixed phrase
Celebration of LGBTQ+ identity and rights
Events or feelings that show you are happy to be gay and want equal rights.
Examples
- Gay pride events take place in many cities every year.
- He marched in the parade to support gay pride.
openly gay
1/ˈoʊpənli ɡˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
Publicly identifying as homosexual
Not hiding that you are gay from other people.
Examples
- She is openly gay and active in politics.
- He became one of the first openly gay athletes in his sport.