The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word GALA
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
G
A
L
A
More clues leading to the result GALA
- Girl having a field day
- Festive gathering a local leader established in Georgia
- Special event a convict recalled
- Delay over a special sports meeting
- Girl attending a festival
- Miss a party
- Girl comes to a celebration of workers of mine
- Young woman launching a festival
- Grand, in the style of festive event
- A delay over celebration
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Festive gathering" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case festive gathering = gala.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does GALA mean?
GALA noun- Pomp, show, or festivity.
- A showy and festive party.
- Celebratory; festive.
- A member of an androgynous class of priests of the Sumerian goddess Inanna.