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

gelable

ˈje-lə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

Verb

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

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

Form There are several forms of vitamin E supplements available, including soft gel capsules that are easy to swallow. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 May 2025

Add a squirt of aloe vera gel for extra moisture (optional). —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 10 May 2025

Verb

One night our fifth grade son’s slightly spastic basketball team suddenly gelled. —Drew Ramsey, CNBC, 14 May 2025

So far, however, Mantzoukas’s high energy is gelling well with the show’s competitive bent. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 8 May 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