jello

American  

[jel-oh] / ˈdʒɛl oʊ /

noun

1. a gelatin dessert.

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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

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

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

On one folding table, volunteers had laid out homemade treats, including jello squares, salted nuts, and oatmeal cookies made with M&M’s.

From The New Yorker • May 1, 2019

As far as kid-approved sides go, it was right up there with Grandma’s pineapple-strawberry jello mold, which somehow passed for fruit and was inexplicably laid out alongside the turkey instead of the pumpkin pie.

From Slate • Nov. 19, 2018

Reba even investigated the mysteries of making jello, both red and green.

From "Song of Solomon" by Toni Morrison