gel

noun \ ˈjel \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

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

Like most eye masks, these are shaped like a kidney bean to cover the under-eye area, but the gel-like mesh keeps them from sliding down your cheeks.

— shannon barbour, The Cut, "3 Face Masks That Will Perk Up Dull Skin," 3 Apr. 2018
Nail brands have been catching on that women need nail polishes that will withstand their busy lifestyles and created innovative gel-like formulas that actually last up to two weeks without one chip.

— kaitlyn frey, PEOPLE.com, "The 5 Best Chip-Free Nail Polishes That Actually Work," 29 Mar. 2018
The scientists used this biohybrid gel to create a 3D, color-changing butterfly.

— matt warren, Science | AAAS, "Watch a gel embedded with heart cells change color with every beat," 28 Mar. 2018
Using a topical steroid gel, foam, cream, or ointment for two to three weeks will help decrease inflammation and get you back on track.

— mona gohara, Good Housekeeping, "7 Common Scalp Issues — And How to Treat Them," 13 Mar. 2018
Research into Vasalgel is expected to continue this year, for instance, and there is another trial lined up that tests the effectiveness of using a hormonal gel on men.

— hannah flynn, Ars Technica, "More than half a century later, where’s the male pill?," 28 Feb. 2018
Shamban recommends applying aloe gel or 1 percent hydrocortisone cream ($9) during the day to help with flakiness and irritation.

— jessica cruel, SELF, "What to Do When Your Skin Is Freaking Out From Retinol," 21 Feb. 2018
Video provided by Newsy Newslook LONDON — A ban on environmentally damaging microbeads found in toothpastes, face scrubs and shower gels came into effect Tuesday in the United Kingdom.

— kim hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, "U.K. follows U.S. in banning damaging 'microbeads' from cosmetics, shower gels," 9 Jan. 2018
The researchers then cultured heart muscle cells from rats onto the gel.

— matt warren, Science | AAAS, "Watch a gel embedded with heart cells change color with every beat," 28 Mar. 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

But Nuno has managed to gel them together and achieve success without compromising any of his footballing beliefs.

— SI.com, "Nuno Espirito Santo Reveals the Key to Wolves' Promotion From the Championship," 17 Apr. 2018
CyberCom, now eight years old, has struggled to gel as a mature organization able to offer effective options for countering cyberthreats.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Trump’s DACA tweetstorm speaks volumes about his presidency," 2 Apr. 2018
Destiny 2 has been a counterintuitive failure unfolding for over half a year now, with the reality of the situation taking many thousands of in-game player hours to gel into a cohesive picture of dissatisfaction and unmet expectations.

— nick statt, The Verge, "The never-ending Destiny 2 controversy is a teachable moment for the game industry," 30 Mar. 2018
There was El Monkey and El Satanico and El Big Homie — willowy teenagers in the midst of growth spurts, with pierced ears, gelled hair, and skinny jeans.

— hannah dreier, Daily Intelligencer, "The Betrayal of Triste," 2 Apr. 2018
These two sides of Far Cry 5 — the half-hearted attempt at a serious story and the bombastic action game — never gel.

— andrew webster, The Verge, "Far Cry 5’s half-hearted attempt at politics ruins the fun," 29 Mar. 2018
But generating chances from open play is the hardest part of the game, and that may come in time, either because the current group continues to gel or via the addition of Pulisic and older attackers who still have fuel in their international tanks.

— brian straus, SI.com, "USMNT's New Talents Establish Own Culture, Tactical Identity as Uncertain Future Looms," 28 Mar. 2018
Teachers sometimes notice that classes as a whole seem to gel better from time to time, and with that positive chemistry comes stronger achievement for much of the class.

— maria shine stewart, cleveland.com, "Cooperation and competition both help us thrive: Sun Messages.," 11 Feb. 2018
The actress's hair is styled in a gelled, piecey-wave texture with a matching layered cut and subtle ombré color that helped lighter pieces stick out.

— melissa minton, Allure, "Kate Hudson Debuts Textured Ombré Pixie Cut," 19 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of gel

1917

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

gel Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

liquefy (also liquify), melt, thaw;

condense, thicken;

clump, curd, curdle, gum, lump (up);

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

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

GEL Defined for English Language Learners

gel

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

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

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

Seen and Heard

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gel

Definition of gel

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

Near Antonyms

Related Words

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

Learn More about gel

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