gel
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms 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.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use gel
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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.