jelly

American  

[jel-ee] / ˈdʒɛl i /

noun

plural

jellies

1. a food preparation of a soft, elastic consistency due to the presence of gelatin, pectin, etc., especially fruit juice boiled down with sugar and used as a sweet spread for bread and toast, as a filling for cakes or doughnuts, etc.

2. any substance having the consistency of jelly.

3. Chiefly British. a fruit-flavored gelatin dessert.

4. a plastic sandal or shoe.

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verb (used with or without object)

jellied, jellying

1. to bring or come to the consistency of jelly.

adjective

1. containing or made, spread, or topped with jelly or syrup; jellied.

   jelly apples.

jelly ¹ British  

/ ˈdʒɛlɪ /

noun

1. US and Canadian trademark: Jell-o.  a fruit-flavoured clear dessert set with gelatine

2. a preserve made from the juice of fruit boiled with sugar and used as jam

3. a savoury food preparation set with gelatine or with a strong gelatinous stock and having a soft elastic consistency

   calf's-foot jelly

4. anything having the consistency of jelly

5. informal a coloured gelatine filter that can be fitted in front of a stage or studio light

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verb

1. to jellify

jelly ² British  

/ ˈdʒɛlɪ /

noun

1. a slang name for gelignite

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Other Word Forms

• jelly-like adjective
• jellylike adjective

Etymology

Origin of jelly

1350–1400; Middle English gely < Old French gelee frozen jelly < Medieval Latin gelāta frozen, equivalent to Latin gel- freeze + -āta -ate ¹; gel, cold

Example Sentences

“Like a happy, colorful starfish…made of jelly,” I found myself saying.

From The Wall Street Journal

I know better than to attempt to get Celia to reveal anything before she’s ready, so I make myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and let Celia’s little mystery go, for now.

From Literature

Beyond its cellular diversity, the aboral organ also appears to be closely connected to the comb jelly's nervous system.

From Science Daily

The soft material, similar in texture to jelly, gradually dissolves inside the body and may eventually allow for customized implants tailored to individual patients.

From Science Daily

His latest report spotlights one manager’s use of a state-owned Ford F-150, with maps of 47 questioned trips and details of purchases like black jelly beans and Wyatt Earp whiskey.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• gelatin