gala affair
1
6.0
- noun
- /ˈɡeɪlə əˈfɛr/
- Formal
- The museum hosted a gala affair to celebrate its grand reopening.
Examples
-
Are you attending the annual gala affair this weekend?
-
Charities often raise funds by organizing a glamorous gala affair attended by celebrities.
-
Everyone wore evening gowns and tuxedos to the annual gala affair.
-
The charity hosted a grand gala affair last night.
-
The charity event was a beautiful gala affair with elegant decorations and live music.
-
Everyone dressed in their finest clothing for the gala affair celebrating the mayor's anniversary.
-
As the clock struck eight, guests began to arrive at the lavish gala affair, eager to enjoy a night of festivities.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
An event where people meet to celebrate, eat, and have fun
267
3.7
A formal social event with food, music, and speeches
253
2.6
A large formal dance where people wear elegant clothes
167
3.3
A formal party after a ceremony to welcome guests
114
3.9
A large formal meal for many people to celebrate a special event
74
4.2
A formal social event such as a party or ceremony
72
3.7
A large formal party with entertainment, often to raise money for charity
37
7.5
A large, exciting show with big acts and fancy stages
23
7.5
An evening party at someone's home
19
1.9
A gathering where people meet to talk and enjoy themselves
18
9.9
A formal ball where young women are introduced to society
17
4.4
A large, lively party to celebrate something
14
5.7
A large lively party with music and games
4
3.5
A formal event where people meet for a special purpose
3
2.8
An event where people meet to celebrate or spend time together
1
4.4
A large important event with ceremony and celebration
A formal party or ceremony where many people meet
A celebration meal at a college for past students
How Formal
253
2.6
- Formal
1
4.5
- Formal
1
6.0
430
1.0
∞
1.0
- Informal
46
1.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
Both constituents directly signal a festive/formal event: 'gala' = celebratory event and 'affair' = social/formal event, so their combination straightforwardly denotes an elaborate formal celebration. This noun+noun collocational pattern is transparent and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Gala affair comes from the word gala, meaning a big, joyful party, and affair, meaning an event, so imagine a fancy night with lights, music and people in evening dress. That's why gala affair now means 'a formal, often celebratory event with entertainment'.