jell
jell Lexical Profile
jell Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To take definite shape, become clear, or begin to work well together (of a plan, idea, or group of people).
"After a few weeks of practice, the new basketball roster finally started to jell as a cohesive unit."
To set, congeal, or become firm like jelly (of a liquid or semi-liquid substance).
"Place the bowl in the refrigerator for three hours until the cranberry sauce begins to jell."
• noun
American A jelly or congealed substance.
"The fruit mixture cooled into a firm, sweet jell by morning."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Jell" and "gel" are homophones that are largely interchangeable when used as verbs meaning to congeal or take shape, though "jell" is primarily favored in American English while "gel" is standard in British English and for the noun referring to a semi-solid substance.
• Rhymes for jell
Word Origin & Etymology
Originated in early 19th-century American English as a back-formation from "jelly", which traces back through Old French "gelee" to the Latin "gelata", meaning "frozen" or "congealed".