gel

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

Examples of gel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Brush them back at the end of your hair-removal sesh, and add a little eyebrow gel to keep everything in place. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 10 June 2026

The fast-acting gel leaves a cooling sensation that’s ideal for a quick fix, and falls within TSA guidelines. —Olivia Bria, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026

When frozen, the gel cools your drinks instantly and keeps them cold for hours. —ABC News, 8 June 2026

The design works atop gel manicures, BIAB, or even your natural nails. —Amanda Le, InStyle, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

gelatin

First Known Use

1899, 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