First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1jelly
noun jel·ly \ˈje-lē\
: a sweet and soft food made by boiling sugar and fruit juice until it is thick
: a fruit-flavored dessert made with gelatin
: a food made from meat juices and gelatin
plural jellies
Full Definition of JELLY
1
: a soft somewhat elastic food product made usually with gelatin or pectin; especially : a fruit product made by boiling sugar and the juice of fruit
2
: a substance resembling jelly in consistency
3
: a state of fear or irresolution
See jelly defined for English-language learners
See jelly defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of JELLY
Middle English gelly, from Anglo-French gelee, from feminine of gelé, past participle of geler to freeze, congeal, from Latin gelare — more at cold
2jelly
verb
jel·liedjel·ly·ing
Definition of JELLY
intransitive verb
1
: jell
2
: to make jelly
transitive verb
: to bring to the consistency of jelly
First Known Use of JELLY
1590
Rhymes with JELLY
JELLIED Defined for Kids
jelly
noun jel·ly \ˈje-lē\
plural jellies
Definition of JELLY for Kids
: a soft springy food made from fruit juice boiled with sugar, from meat juices, or from gelatin
— jel·ly·like \-ˌlīk\ adjective
Medical Dictionary
jelly
noun jel·ly \ˈjel-ē\
plural jellies
Medical Definition of JELLY
1
: a soft somewhat elastic food product made usually with gelatin or pectin; especially : a fruit product made by boiling sugar and the juice of fruit
2
: a substance resembling jelly in consistency: as a : a transparent elastic gel b : a semisolid medicated or cosmetic preparation often having a gum base and usually intended for local application <ephedrine jelly> c : a jellylike preparation used in electrocardiography to obtain better conduction of electricity <electrode jelly>
Learn More About JELLY
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up jelly? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).