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

transitive verb

: to style with hair gel

gelled his hair back

gelable

ˈje-lə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms of gel

Verb

• freeze
• stiffen
• jelly
• jell
• coagulate
• gelatinize
• clump
• congeal
• clot

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

Whole-body therapies, which come in pills, patches, sprays, gels and a vaginal ring, deliver doses of hormones into the bloodstream at levels high enough to have significant effects on symptoms like hot flashes. — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Studies have found that, for women, testosterone gels or creams are better than oral formulations, which have been linked to liver and high cholesterol problems. — Fran Kritz, Verywell Health, 3 Nov. 2026

Verb

But what fleeting experiments the band attempts don’t gel into much. — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026

The question will be about how quickly this team can gel and get everything connected. — David Troy Outkick, FOXNews.com, 3 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for gel

• bel
• belle
• cel
• cell
• dell
• dwell
• el
• ell
• fel
• fell
• gell
• jell

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