gel

1 of 2

noun

ˈjel 

plural gels

1

: a colloid in a more solid form than a sol

broadly : jelly sense 2

2

: a thin colored transparent sheet used over a stage light to color it

3

: a gelatinous preparation: such as

a

: hair gel

b

: hand gel

gel

2 of 2

verb

gelled; gelling

intransitive verb

1

: to change into or take on the form of a gel : set

2

: jell sense 1

gelable

ˈje-lə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

• clot
• coagulate
• congeal
• gelate
• gelatinize
• jell
• jelly
• set

Examples of gel in a Sentence

Verb

The mixture will gel as it cools.

Our plans are finally starting to gel.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The gel’s structure also resists the formation of dendrites, the needle-like structures that can form on the anode during charging and cause short circuits. —IEEE Spectrum, 18 June 2024

The nasal gel is short-acting and doesn’t cause the body to maintain high testosterone levels throughout the day. —Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 17 June 2024

Verb

A lot of the guys have already kind of gelled with him pretty good. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2024

Elsewhere, gravity-defying tresses were gelled up to great heights and fashioned into spikes galore. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

Word History

Etymology

Noun

gelatin

First Known Use

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing gel

• gel electrophoresis
• gel ice
• gel permeation chromatography
• hair gel
• hand gel
• shower gel
• silica gel

Kids Definition

gel

1 of 2 noun

ˈjel 

: a solid jellylike colloid (as gelatin dessert)

gel

2 of 2 verb

gelled; gelling

: to change into or take on the form of a gel

Medical Definition

gel

1 of 2 noun

ˈjel 

: a colloid in a more solid form than a sol

gel

2 of 2 intransitive verb

gelled; gelling

: to change into or take on the form of a gel

gelable

ˈjel-ə-bəl 

adjective