(gayer, gayest)
1
- (of a person, especially a man) homosexual（尤指男子）同性恋的。
1.1
- relating to or used by homosexuals（与）同性恋（有关）的; 同性恋者使用的：
feminist, black, and gay perspectives.
女权主义者、黑人和同性恋者的看法。
2
- dated light-hearted and carefree〈旧〉轻松的, 无忧无虑的：
Nan had a gay disposition and a very pretty face.
纳恩性格开朗, 长相俊俏。
2.1
- brightly coloured; showy; brilliant明亮的; 绚丽的; 灿烂的：
a gay profusion of purple and pink sweet peas.
大量色彩鲜艳的紫色和粉红色的豌豆花。
- a homosexual, especially a man同性恋者（尤指男子）。
USAGE
Gay meaning 'homosexual' became established in the 1960s as the term preferred by homosexual men to describe themselves. It is now the standard accepted term throughout the English-speaking world. As a result, the centuries-old other senses of gay meaning either 'carefree' or 'bright and showy' have more or less dropped out of natural use. The word gay cannot be readily used unselfconsciously today in these older senses without arousing a sense of double entendre, despite concerted attempts by some to keep them alive.Gay in its modern sense typically refers to men （lesbian being the standard term for homosexual women） but in some contexts it can be used of both men and women.
派生词
gayness
noun词源
Middle English (in sense 2)： from Old French gai, of unknown origin.