gel

Everyday

1. Gel is a thick, wobbly or sticky substance, between a liquid and a solid, like hair gel, shower gel or hand gel. tree →
2. To gel is to become firmer, like jelly setting. tree →
3. To gel (of people) is to start to work well together. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and health lessons, hand sanitiser gel and shower gel keep us clean; hair gel styles hair. In science, gels are a mixture of solid and liquid. In teams, players «gel» after practice. Phrases: «hair gel», «hand gel», «shower gel», «ice gel pack».

Examples

• Use some hand gel before lunch. tree →
• He put gel in his hair to make it spiky. tree →
• The jelly gelled in the fridge. tree →
• Our team really gelled in the second half. tree →
• Put a cold gel pack on the bump. tree →
• Aloe vera gel soothes sunburn. tree →
• Shower gel smells of strawberries. tree →

Note

Double «l» in «gelled», «gelling». Short for «gelatine». Not to be confused with «jell» (also means to set) or «gell»; «gel» is the usual spelling. Safety: hand gel is not for eating; keep it away from eyes. Not a number word.