noun B1 Intermediate

gaol

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Gaol (noun) means the British spelling of jail, a building where people are held as punishment for a crime or while awaiting trial. Example: “He spent five years in gaol for fraud.”

noun

dated The British spelling of jail, a building where people are held as punishment for a crime or while awaiting trial.

"He spent five years in gaol for fraud."

"The old gaol has been turned into a museum."

"She visited her brother in gaol every week."

verb

dated To put someone in a gaol as a legal punishment or while they await trial.

"The judge decided not to gaol the young offender."

"He was gaoled for six months."

"Courts rarely gaol first-time offenders for minor crimes."

How to use gaol

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGaol is simply the British way of spelling jail.

When to use it

Gaol is a formal, older spelling that has largely been replaced by jail in everyday British writing.

Memory tip

If you are unsure which spelling to use, jail is the safer and more widely understood choice.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

goal →

Common pairings

sent to gaol spend time in gaol released from gaol

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “gaol” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He spent five years in _____ for fraud.

Etymology

Gaol reached English through Old French gaiole, which came from Medieval Latin gabiola. That in turn traces back to Late Latin caveola, a small form of the Latin word cavea, meaning a cage or coop.

Origin: Old French

Synonyms

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jail imprison

Related words

prison jail lag jug liberate imprison incarcerate immure

Rhymes for gaol

AOL

See all rhymes for gaol →

Frequently asked questions

Is gaol the same as jail?

Yes, gaol and jail are the same word. Gaol is simply the older British spelling.

How do you pronounce gaol?

Gaol is pronounced exactly like jail, as a single syllable.

Is gaol still used today?

It is used less than it once was. Jail became the more common spelling in most English-speaking countries, though gaol is still seen in some proper names and legal writing.

What is the meaning of gaol?

"gaol" (noun) means the British spelling of jail, a building where people are held as punishment for a crime or while awaiting trial.

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prison jail lag jug liberate imprison incarcerate immure