gel

play

noun \ ˈjel \

Definition of gel

1 :a colloid in a more solid form than a sol; broadly :jelly 2

2 :a thin colored transparent sheet used over a stage light to color it

3 :a gelatinous preparation used in styling hair

See gel defined for English-language learners

See gel defined for kids

Recent Examples of gel from the Web

The Hoosiers sweep their other two nonconference foes, Florida International and Georgia Southern, their young offensive line gels quickly and Richard Lagow directs the offense well without turning the ball over.

— zach osterman, Indianapolis Star, "Best- and worst-case scenarios for IU football in 2017," 28 Aug. 2017
Gels created the Home Builders program for students to help students enter the construction industry.

— melissa reinert, Cincinnati.com, "Boone's Jerry Gels says public education 'incredibly empowering'," 11 Aug. 2017
Lisa Hopkins, a disabled food and nutrition supervisor in Pennsylvania, went to fill a prescription for the anti-inflammatory Voltaren gel this year.

— charles ornstein and katie thomas, New York Times, "Take the Generic, Patients Are Told. Until They Are Not.," 6 Aug. 2017
This is the residue from conditioners, oils, gels, and moisturizing creams.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "Is Everyone Changing Their Pillowcase More Often Than Me?," 28 July 2017
The company, which makes pain-control drugs as well as H.P. Acthar, an injectable gel prescribed for multiple sclerosis and other diseases, has lobbied on issues related to opioids, patents, Medicare and other matters, regulatory filings show.

— jay hancock, Kaiser Health News, "Follow The Money: Drugmakers Deploy Political Cash As Prices And Anger Mount," 24 July 2017
Combine the ends of your three medium-size braids together into one big braid, using gel to smooth flyaways.

— maya allen, Cosmopolitan, "3 Ridiculously Cool Textured Braids You'll Want to Wear Now," 21 July 2017
In the video, Nicole begins by using the more dramatic large stamp coated in a black gel formula.

— kaleigh fasanella, Teen Vogue, "Watch Nicole Guerriero Use the VampStamp VavaVoom Wing Stamp in a YouTube Tutorial," 12 July 2017
Perfect for all skin tones, the gel-cream highlighter hydrates and nourishes thanks to a formula that includes five forms of coconut and pro-vitamin B5.

— courtney ortega, star-telegram, "Top of the beauty crop," 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of gel

gelatin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1899

See Words from the same year

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

gel

verb

Definition of gel

gelled; gelling

intransitive verb

1 :to change into or take on the form of a gel :set

2 :jell 1

—

gelable

play \ˈje-lə-bəl\ adjective

See gel defined for English-language learners

Examples of gel in a Sentence

The mixture will gel as it cools.
Our plans are finally starting to gel.

Recent Examples of gel from the Web

Nearly any kind of fruit can be used to make jam, but the best results come from juicy specimens with a good balance of sweet and tart and high amounts of naturally occurring pectin (the ingredient that creates that gelled, jammy texture).

— alison roman, charlotteobserver, "What to do with the late-season tomatoes? Get them into jam," 22 Aug. 2017
The Colts’ 2017 training camp, in one sentence: an unproven defense that’s still continuing to gel won darn near every practice, and that’s mostly because the offense couldn’t muster much of a fight.

— zak keefer, Indianapolis Star, "Chuck Pagano on the Colts: 'We've got a long way to go. We need work.'," 17 Aug. 2017
But surprisingly the team started to gel under freshman QB Sam Darnold and USC rattled off nine consecutive wins — the program’s longest win streak since 2009.

— matt murschel, OrlandoSentinel.com, "College football rankings: USC Trojans," 15 Aug. 2017
And if this offensive line can finally gel, look out.

— brian manzullo, Detroit Free Press, "Freep 2017 preseason college football Top 25: Michigan is not Top 10 - yet," 7 Aug. 2017
Even after 70 years as an independent country, India has still not quite gelled into a unified nation, and Kashmir is not the only chronic hotspot.

— The Economist, "Reconciliation is not impossible, but it will be a long, slow process," 22 July 2017
Slightly adapted from greatbritishchefs.com, this recipe will take 45 to 50 minutes to cook to the soft ball stage and be ready to gel.

— Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Raspberry Pâte de Fruits," 13 July 2017
Moreover, a bullpen in some flux has generally gelled.

— vahe gregorian, kansascity, "Vahe Gregorian: Nearing midpoint of season, Royals’ risk is reaping rewards," 30 June 2017
The Indians gelled as a team during their 14-game winning streak last summer.

— zack meisel, cleveland.com, "The Cleveland Indians, Edwin Encarnacion and the Mike Napoli Lack-of-Leadership Myth: Going Deep," 12 June 2017

First Known Use of gel

1917

gel Synonyms

Synonyms

clot, congeal, coagulate, gelate, gelatinize, jell, jelly, set

Related Words

cake, concrete, firm (up), fix, freeze, harden, indurate, solidify, stiffen; condense, thicken; clump, curd, curdle, gum, lump (up)

Near Antonyms

deliquesce, flux, fuse, liquefy (also liquify), melt, thaw

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

GEL Defined for English Language Learners

gel

play

noun

Definition of gel for English Language Learners

: a thick substance that is like jelly and that is used in various products

gel

verb

Definition of gel for English Language Learners

: to change into a gel : to change into a thick substance that is like jelly
: to become clear and definite
: to style (hair) with gel

GEL Defined for Kids

gel

play

noun \ ˈjel \

Definition of gel for Students

:a thick jellylike substance

gel

verb

Definition of gel for Students

gelled; gelling

:to change into a thick jellylike substance

The mixture will gel as it cools.

Medical Dictionary

gel

play

noun \ ˈjel \

medical Definition of gel

:a colloid in a more solid form than a sol

gel

intransitive verb

medical Definition of gel

gelled; gelling

:to change into or take on the form of a gel

—

gelable

play \ˈjel-ə-bəl\ adjective

Learn More about gel

See words that rhyme with gel Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gel Spanish Central: Translation of gel Nglish: Translation of gel for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of gel for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gel

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gel

Definition of gel

Indulge Your Inner Word Nerd

Recent Examples of gel from the Web

Origin and Etymology of gel

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

gel

Definition of gel

gelable

Examples of gel in a Sentence

Recent Examples of gel from the Web

First Known Use of gel

gel Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

GEL Defined for English Language Learners

gel

Definition of gel for English Language Learners

gel

Definition of gel for English Language Learners

GEL Defined for Kids

gel

Definition of gel for Students

gel

Definition of gel for Students

Medical Dictionary

gel

medical Definition of gel

gel

medical Definition of gel

gelable

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