The history of the word “gay”
Gay is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant "carefree", "cheerful', or "bright and showy". [1] While scant usage referring to male homosexuality dates to the late 19th century, that meaning became increasingly common by the midth century. [2] In modern English, gay has come to be used as an adjective, and as a noun. However, around the early parts of the 17th century, the word began to be associated with immorality. Fast-forward to the 19th century and the word gay referred to a woman who was a prostitute and a gay man was someone who slept with a lot of women ironically enough , often prostitutes. 
What Does It Mean to be Gay? Definition and Meaning of Gay
The meaning of GAY is of, relating to, or characterized by sexual or romantic attraction to people of one's same sex —often used to refer to men only. How to use gay in a sentence. Usage of Gay: Usage Guide Synonym Discussion of Gay. There are 31 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word gay , nine of which are labelled obsolete, and one of which is considered offensive. To continue reading, please sign in below or purchase a subscription.
Gay
You may have questions about why some people identify as gay, queer, both, or another specific way. For respectfulness and inclusivity, it’s important to understand the difference—and to remember that people’s use and feelings about the words vary widely. The term "gay" may be confusing and even foreign to some, forcing people to ask, "What is gay? While "gay" can be thought of as a synonym to "homosexual," there is more to the meaning of gay than that. Gay, adj., adv., & n. meanings, etymology and more
Today I found out how ‘gay’ came to mean ‘homosexual’. The word “gay” seems to have its origins around the 12th century in England, derived from the Old French word ‘gai’, which in turn was probably derived from a Germanic word, though that isn’t completely known. The word’s original meaning meant something to the effect of “joyful”, “carefree”, “full of mirth. Use of the noun gay to refer to a particular person or particular people is commonly considered offensive. Phrases that employ the adjective are preferred. 
GAY Definition & Meaning
by Jordan Redman Staff Writer Do you know what the word gay really means? The word gay dates back to the 12th century and comes from the Old French “gai,” meaning “full of joy or mirth.” It may also relate to the Old High German “gahi,” meaning impulsive. Want to remove ads? Log in to see fewer ads, and become a Premium Member to remove all ads.
Gay
Originating from Old French "gai" (12c.) meaning joyful or light-colored, "gay" evolved from "merry" and "wanton" in the 14c. to also mean a homosexual. . Queer vs. Gay
Definition of Gay Homosexuality is considered to be same-sex sexual attraction and behavior and "gay" is a synonym of homosexuality. The term "homosexuality" 1 was first used by Victorian scientists who considered same-sex sexual attraction and behavior a "moral deficiency." 2. . 
GAY
The word ‘gay’ has its origins in the 12th century, where it was used to describe feelings of joy and merriment. Over time, the meaning of the word shifted, and by the 17th century, it was commonly used to refer to a carefree and hedonistic lifestyle. .