gala dinner

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A formal, festive evening meal, often with entertainment, held to raise money or mark a special occasion.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'a gala dinner' or 'gala dinners'; it often appears with 'at' or 'attend'.

   Patterns

   • a gala dinner for someone/something
   • attend a gala dinner
   • hold a gala dinner

   The charity held a gala dinner to raise funds for the new hospital wing.

   She wore a long red dress to the gala dinner at the hotel.

   Tickets for the gala dinner cost $200 each and include a silent auction.

2. 2nouncountable

   The meal itself at such an event, typically a multi-course menu served to many guests.

   Grammar: Refers to the food event; can be used with 'at' or 'during'.

   Patterns

   • at the gala dinner
   • during the gala dinner

   The gala dinner featured a choice of salmon or filet mignon.

   Speeches were given during the gala dinner.

Word forms

Common combinations

charity gala dinner

The museum's annual charity gala dinner raised over a million dollars.

attend a gala dinner

Several celebrities attended the gala dinner in London.

host a gala dinner

The university will host a gala dinner for its alumni.

gala dinner dance

The evening concluded with a gala dinner dance in the ballroom.

Synonyms and how they differ

banquet

A banquet is a large formal meal, often for many people; it may not include entertainment or a fundraising purpose, so it is broader.

fundraiser

A fundraiser is any event that raises money; a gala dinner is a specific type of fundraiser with a formal meal.

Word family

gala noun

A festive occasion or celebration, often with performances.

dinner noun

The main meal of the day, usually eaten in the evening.

Commonly confused: gala dinner or gala?

Practice

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