gel
gel Lexical Profile
gel Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A thick, jelly-like substance used in cosmetics, hair styling, or topical medical treatments.
"The pharmacist recommended a soothing aloe vera gel to treat the mild sunburn."
A semi-rigid colloidal dispersion of a solid within a liquid that retains its shape without flowing.
"During the biochemistry lab, students used agarose gel to separate DNA fragments by size."
A thin, heat-resistant sheet of colored transparent material placed over a stage or film light to tint its beam.
"The lighting designer placed an amber gel over the spotlight to create the illusion of a warm sunset."
• verb
To take definite shape, become cohesive, or work well together (of a plan, idea, or group of people).
"It took a few weeks of practice, but the new orchestra members finally began to gel as an ensemble."
To thicken or solidify into a semi-solid, jelly-like mass.
"Allow the fruit mixture to cool in the refrigerator until the pectin causes it to gel."
To apply styling gel to the hair.
"He decided to gel his hair back for the formal awards ceremony."
Word Nuance & Usage
In its figurative verb sense meaning 'to come together' or 'to take shape,' 'gel' and 'jell' are interchangeable variants, though 'gel' is required for the chemical or cosmetic noun senses.
• Rhymes for gel
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th century by Scottish chemist Thomas Graham as a shortening of 'gelatin', which ultimately derives from the Latin verb 'gelare', meaning 'to freeze' or 'to congeal'.