A gal is an informal, friendly word for a girl or woman. You might hear someone say “she's a nice gal” or talk about “going out with the gals,” meaning spending time with female friends. The word has a warm, casual feeling to it, like calling someone a “guy” instead of a “man.”

The term became especially popular in the early 1900s and stayed common through the mid-20th century. You'll hear it in old movies, classic songs, and books from that era. While people still use gal today, it can sound a bit old-fashioned and playful, like something your grandparents might say. Some women enjoy the friendly, informal tone of the word, while others prefer more modern terms.

Gal works well in casual situations but not formal ones. You wouldn't write “gal” in a school report or use it in a serious conversation, just as you wouldn't use “guy” in those situations either. If you're talking with friends about your soccer team, though, you might naturally say “the gals on my team” without thinking twice about it.