French word

gel

Pronunciation

IPA/ʒɛl/

Meaning

  • masculine nounfrost

Example

Ce matin, il y a du gel sur la voiture.

This morning, there is frost on the car.

Illustration for gel (frost)

More examples

Le gel peut abîmer les plantes.

Frost can damage plants.

Core concept

A set layer that can be seen on a cold surface as ice or used as a firm substance for styling hair.

Common phrases

  • risque de gel

    risk of frost

  • un gel ponctuel

    a brief frost

Similar words

givre: White frost crystals coating leaves, windows, and other surfaces.
verglas: Nearly invisible clear ice covering a road or other surface.
gelée: Light frost or freezing caused by overnight cold on soil or plants.
glace: Water in its fully frozen, solid form as transparent ice.

Definition in French

Résultat de l'action de geler, c'est-à-dire l'eau transformée en glace qui recouvre plantes, véhicules ou routes.

Word origin

The weather sense is inherited from Latin gelu via Old French, whereas the hair-product sense entered French from the modern English word gel.

Usage tips

  • Verglas names transparent ice on a road, whereas gel is the broader term for frozen water coating surfaces.

Other meanings

  • freezenoun
  • hair gelnoun

Opposites

  • dégelthawnoun

Related words

  • antigelantifreezenoun
  • geléefrostnoun

Word lists with this word