congeal

1 of 2

verb

con·​geal kən-ˈjēl 

congealed; congealing; congeals

transitive verb

1

: to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold

The cold congealed the water into ice.

2

: to make viscid or curdled : coagulate

3

: to make rigid, fixed, or immobile

intransitive verb

: to become congealed : solidify

Oil congeals at cold temperatures.

congealment

kən-ˈjēl-mənt 

noun

congealment

2 of 2

noun

con·​geal·​ment kən-ˈjēl-mənt 

plural -s

1

: the act or action of congealing

the rapid congealment of lava

a tendency toward congealment of ideas

—J. B. Oakes

2

: matter that has congealed

a crusty congealment of frost

Synonyms of congeal

Verb

• freeze
• harden

Examples of congeal in a Sentence

Verb

The gravy began to congeal in the pan.

the surface of the pond congealed after several days of frigid temperatures

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The career that has followed has been the rare one that survived a child-star debut without ever congealing into the obvious next thing. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 June 2026

Since then, speculation has congealed into reality. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026

Engineers even worried that slow-moving crude would congeal inside the pipeline, creating waxy buildup that could turn TAPS into the world’s biggest tube of ChapStick. — Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Fortune, 24 May 2026

Grease and oil might look harmless, but grease has the potential to congeal and harden, while leftover oil can coat your pipes and cause other things to get stuck. — Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English congelen, from Middle French congeler, from Latin congelare, from com- + gelare to freeze — more at cold

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for congeal

• abele
• alkyl
• anneal
• appeal
• cartwheel
• conceal
• coquille
• corneal
• cornmeal
• flywheel
• genteel
• handwheel

Kids Definition

congeal

verb

con·​geal kən-ˈjē(ə)l 

1

: to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold

2

: to make or become stiff, thick, or lumpy : coagulate

Medical Definition

congeal

transitive verb

con·​geal kən-ˈjē(ə)l 

1

: to change from a fluid to a solid state by or as if by cold

2

: to make viscid or curdled : coagulate

intransitive verb

: to become congealed