Friday, 3 January 2025

Is 'gala' English, or is it actually Italian?

'Gala' is a word borrowed from Italian 'gale'. The word entered the English language some time around 1777.


gala [noun] [1777]
  • a festive celebration
  • a public entertainment marking a special occasion
  • a medium-sized apple with crisp yellowish-white sweet flesh and a red skin or a golden skin with red striping
See 'gala' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from Italian.

Etymology: Italian, from Middle French 'gale' festivity, pleasure
See more loan words from 1700s.


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