jelly
n. C / Un. a soft, sweet food that shakes when you move it, usually made from fruit juice and sugar. In some countries, people also use this word for a clear fruit spread you put on bread.
n. a semi-solid substance made from fruit juice boiled with sugar and gelatin or pectin. In British English, refers to a gelatin-based dessert; in American English, refers to a clear fruit preserve without pieces of fruit.
The children ate red jelly and ice cream at the party.
She spread a thin layer of grape jelly on her toast before heading out to work.
The chef demonstrated how to clarify the stock to create a savory jelly, which would eventually encase the terrine in a shimmering, translucent layer.
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *gel- Latin gelū Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin gelō ▲ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātus Latin -āta Early Medieval Latin gelāta Old French geleebor. Middle English gele English jelly Inherited from Middle English gele. Doublet of gelee.
Clipping of jealous + -y (informal adjective ending).
Uncountable when referring to the substance in general; countable when referring to specific servings or varieties.
I like strawberry jam jellyI like strawberry jellyLearners often combine 'jam' and 'jelly', but they are distinct types of fruit preserves.