plural jellies
1
: a sweet and soft food made by boiling sugar and fruit juice until it is thick
a selection of different jellies and jams
He spread some jelly on his toast.
a jar of grape jelly
a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
a jelly doughnut [=a doughnut with jelly inside of it]
—sometimes used figurativelyOne look from her reduces me to jelly. [=makes me feel very weak and nervous]
Shock and fear turned my legs to jelly. [=made my legs feel very weak]
2
British
: a fruit-flavored dessert made with gelatin
Note: In the U.S., this kind of dessert is known by the trademark Jell-O.
3
old-fashioned
: a food made from meat juices and gelatin
a meat glaze made with stock and jelly
4
: a substance that is soft and thick like jelly
liquid ointments and jellies
lubricating jelly
Cite this Entry
“Jelly.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/jelly. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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