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

Ballpoint pens and gel pens are also your best bet, as pens with waterier ink can bleed more and are more likely to cause mid-air mishaps, per Bernstein. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025

Bedding essentials like cooling mattresses, breathable sheets, and gel pillows are all necessities anytime of year to ensure a sweat-free sleep. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Oct. 2025

Verb

How would a manager with no top-flight experience get so many new players to gel quickly? —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025

Final thoughts Despite the late start, the new cast members gelled nicely with Carpenter tonight! —Andy Hoglund, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025

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