gel

7 synonyms for gel, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A soft, semi-solid substance somewhere between a liquid and a solid, such as hair gel or a jelly-like material.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

click

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

jelly paste mesh

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

cohere gelatin mousse

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A soft, semi-solid substance somewhere between a liquid and a solid, such as hair gel or a jelly-like material.

“She smoothed a bit of gel through her hair.”

jelly paste mesh click cohere gelatin

2. verb

To come together successfully as a group or idea; to click.

“The new team gelled quickly after a few practices.”

mousse

How to use gel

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

hair gel shower gel ideas gelled the team gelled

Etymology

Coined in the 1800s by chemist Thomas Graham as a short form of gelatin, which itself traces back to Latin gelu, "frost."

Full origin of gel →

Frequently asked questions

What does “gel” mean?

The word “gel” means a soft, semi-solid substance somewhere between a liquid and a solid, such as hair gel or a jelly-like material. In plain terms, a jelly-like substance, or (as a verb) for people or ideas to come together well.

How do you pronounce “gel”?

“Gel” is pronounced jehl (/d͡ʒɛl/ in IPA).

How do you use “gel” in a sentence?

Here is “gel” used in a sentence: “She smoothed a bit of gel through her hair.”

What part of speech is “gel”?

Depending on how it is used, “gel” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “gel” come from?

The word “gel” dates back to around 1800 and comes from Latin. Coined in the 1800s by chemist Thomas Graham as a short form of gelatin, which itself traces back to Latin gelu, "frost.".

Is “gel” a common word?

“Gel” is a fairly common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “gel” have?

“Gel” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, semi-solid substance somewhere between a liquid and a solid, such as hair gel or a jelly-like material.

What is the difference between "gel" and "jelly"?

"Gel" refers broadly to any soft, semi-solid substance between a liquid and a solid, such as hair gel or shower gel. "Jelly" is often used more specifically for a food product or a similar wobbly texture, though the two terms overlap considerably in everyday use.

What does it mean when people say a team or plan "gels"?

Used as a verb, "gel" means to come together successfully as a group or idea, as when new teammates "gel" quickly or a plan finally "gels" after several changes.

Is "gel" both a noun and a verb?

Yes, "gel" functions as a noun for the semi-solid substance itself, such as hair gel, and as a verb meaning to come together successfully or click, as in a group of people or ideas gelling.

People also searched

click paste jelly mesh gelatin mousse cohere

Nearby words

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