gay

Everyday

1. Describing a person, especially a man, who is romantically attracted to people of the same sex; women may also call themselves gay or lesbian. This is the usual meaning today and a respectful word. tree →
2. (old-fashioned) Happy, merry and full of fun: «a gay laugh». tree →
3. (old-fashioned) Bright and colourful: «gay flags». tree →
4. (rude, offensive) Used by some as an insult meaning «bad» or «stupid» – this is hurtful and wrong. tree →

In the lessons

In old books like The Wind in the Willows and Alice, «gay» means merry and bright: Toad sings gay songs, and the river is gay with flowers; this is not about love. Today in everyday life the first meaning is the usual one: some families have two dads or two mums; gay people should be treated with respect. Saying «that's so gay» to mean «rubbish» is bullying language and schools stop it.

Examples

• My uncle is gay and lives with his husband. tree →
• Some of my friends have two mums. tree →
• In the old song, the girls were «gay and bright». tree →
• The town was gay with flags for the festival. tree →
• Toad sang a gay little song as he drove along. tree →
• Using «gay» as an insult is unkind and not allowed in our school. tree →
• Never has there been a gayer Court. tree →

Note

In books written before about 1960, «gay» usually means «merry» or «bright». Today it nearly always means sense 1. Never use it as an insult. Related word: LGBT.