Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adverb In a joyful, cheerful, or happy manner; merrily.
  • adverb With bright colors or trimmings; showily.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a gay manner; with mirth and frolic; joyfully; merrily.
  • Splendidly; with finery or showiness; brightly; gaudily.
  • Tolerably; pretty. Also gailie, gaylie.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb Merrily; showily. See gaily.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb merrily
  • adverb showily

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb in a gay manner

Etymologies

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Examples

  • And he does this all while staggering about the stage tripping over things in gaily-stockinged feet (yes, I have a soft spot for gawky boys in colorful socks), fussing with the mix, swapping instruments on the fly, and -- in the grand tradition of Bowie and Byrne -- dancing like an utter spaz.

    the short answer is, go. matociquala 2008

  • "It's not our fight, sweetheart," she called gaily over her shoulder, taking a whisky tumbler from a cupboard and unscrewing the bottle to top up her own and pour him a generous slug.

    Fox Evil Walters, Minette 2002

  • "May you one day catch a Panon-worth," she called gaily, and took the hand of Oroles.

    The Magic May Return Niven, Larry 1981

  • She called gaily to all the women, including Gertie, then left the carriage on the walk, and from her coalhouse dragged out a large trough-like box.

    The Dollmaker Harriette Arnow 1954

  • Turning to Holger, he called gaily, 'That wasn't too bad, though, was it?'

    Three Hearts and Three Lions Anderson, Poul, 1926- 1953

  • "Aloho-ate, lazy one!" she called gaily from below.

    Their Mariposa Legend; a romance of Santa Catalina

  • "Hop up, girls," she called gaily to Betty and Madeline.

    Betty Wales, Sophomore Margaret Warde

  • "Dinner is ready!" she called gaily as she ran; and the sound of her voice made Rebecca sit up quickly, and exclaim:

    A Little Maid of Old Maine Alice Turner Curtis

  • Her washwoman's family consisted of four children, and a husband who blew in gaily once in a while when in need of funds, or when recovering from a protracted spree, which made a few days 'nursing very welcome.

    In Times Like These 1915

  • "Then good night, lovely Blossom," he called gaily while he turned back into the bridle path which led like a frayed white seam over the pasture.

    The Miller Of Old Church Ellen Anderson Gholson Glasgow 1909

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