1. in a cheerful, lighthearted, or carefree manner
Usage: common in older or literary texts
2. in a bright, showy, or colorful manner
Usage: often describes appearance or decoration

Examples

• The children gayly decorated the room with streamers and balloons.
• She gayly hummed a tune as she walked through the park.
• The festival was gayly lit with lanterns and colorful lights.
• He gayly dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand.
• The garden was gayly adorned with flowers of every color.
• They gayly celebrated the arrival of spring.