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 will take approximately 30-60 minutes to take effect. —Laura Schober, Health, 28 Dec. 2024

The crab shell held an array of colors: pink from the radish, purple from the borage flower, orange from the blood orange fluid gel and green from avocado and herb oil. —Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Verb

Chika: Also, our individual performances came together and gelled. —Billboard Japan, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024

But everything just gelled, the success of us getting to work together, my touring and everything else fell into place. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, Fox News, 10 Oct. 2024

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