jello

American  

[jel-oh] / ˈdʒɛl oʊ /

noun

• jellos
  plural

1. a gelatin dessert.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• jellos
  plural

Etymology

Origin of jello

Genericized spelling of trademarked Jell-O

Explanation

Jello is a sweet, fruit-flavored food that's thickened with gelatin. When you're recovering from having your wisdom teeth removed, jello may be the only thing you feel like eating for a while. Desserts made with gelatin are often generally referred to as jello (or jelly in the U.K.) although the official trademarked name is Jell-O. This light, sweet treat is a favorite of kids who like its bright colors and jiggly consistency. It's also common in hospitals, since eating jello is an easy way for patients to get extra hydration. So-called "jello salads" contain fruit, marshmallows, and nuts, suspended within the molded jello.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

jello jellos

In these basins, soft sediments can behave like a "bowl of jello."

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

But your homemade meals don’t have to resemble a frozen TV dinner, with its segmented tray of meat, an amorphous sauce, a scoop of peas or rice and a mysterious, saccharine lump of... jello?

From Salon ● Mar. 30, 2025

The straight lines in the frame still looked straight and did not succumb to much rolling shutter jello effect.

From The Verge ● Sep. 9, 2022

Asked for a sake, the bartenders were quick to recommend Ozeki Ikezo, a canned sparkling sake with the texture of a jello shot, and sweet yuzu or berry flavors.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 24, 2022

I’ve been watching cable television and eating jello.

From "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

Desserts: Custard; jellos; junkets; home-made ice cream; sponge cake; baked fruits with whipped cream, etc.

From The Mother and Her Child by William S. Sadler