noun
Common
gel
jehl
Gel (noun) means a soft, semi-solid substance somewhere between a liquid and a solid, such as hair gel or a jelly-like material. Example: “She smoothed a bit of gel through her hair.”
noun
1
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."
"The wound was treated with an antiseptic gel."
"The nurse spread a cooling gel over his sunburnt shoulders."
verb
1
To come together successfully as a group or idea; to click.
"The new team gelled quickly after a few practices."
"His plans hadn't quite gelled yet."
"After a few weeks, the choir began to gel as a group."
How to use gel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA jelly-like substance, or (as a verb) for people or ideas to come together well.
Common pairings
hair gel
shower gel
ideas gelled
the team gelled
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Word forms
- Plural
- gels
- Third person singular
- gels
- Past tense
- gelled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She smoothed a bit of _____ through her hair.
Etymology
Coined in the 1800s by chemist Thomas Graham as a short form of gelatin, which itself traces back to Latin gelu, "frost."
Class of 1800
gel joined the language around 1800.
See the full Class of 1800 →
Related words
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.
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