The term "gay" is understood in different ways, depending on usage:

1. **Sexual Orientation**: Gay usually refers to someone who is romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same gender. While it’s usually used to describe male-male attraction, it could also be used in a broader context for those in the LGBTQ+ community who identifies this way.\

2. **Historical Meaning**: In the past, "gay" was used to mean cheerful, free-spirited, or bright and colorful. For example, older literature or songs might use the word in this context, such as in "don we now our gay apparel" here from the Christmas carol *Deck the Halls*.

3. **Colloquial Use**: In some informal or derogatory contexts, "gay" has been used as slang to mean an undesirable thing. This usage is generally discouraged and may offend others as it supports discrimination.

If you meant something more specific, do let me know!