jello
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A sweet, fruit-flavored dessert that is soft, wobbly, and semi-transparent, made by dissolving a flavored gelatin powder in hot water and then chilling it until it sets. It is a trademarked brand (Jell-O) that is often used as a generic term for this type of dessert.
Usage and Examples
- As a generic term for gelatin dessert:
- For the party, she made a large bowl of strawberry jello.
- The children love eating colorful jello cubes.
- Referring to its characteristic texture:
- The dessert shook like jello on the plate.
- My legs felt like jello after the long run. (Figurative use comparing weakness to the dessert's wobbly consistency.)
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use for Instability: The word is often used figuratively to describe something that is unsteady, shaky, or lacks firmness.
- The company's financial situation was on jello after the market crash.
- His argument was built on jello and quickly fell apart.
Variants and Related Words
- Jell-O: The proprietary trademark for the specific brand of gelatin dessert. In formal writing, the generic product should be called "gelatin dessert" or "jelly" (in UK English).
- Gelatin Dessert: The formal, non-brand-specific term for the food.
- Jelly: (UK English) The common term for this dessert (note: in US English, "jelly" is a smooth fruit spread).
- Gelatin: The protein substance derived from collagen that causes the liquid to set, forming the basis of the dessert.
Synonyms
- Gelatin dessert
- Jelly (UK)
Idioms and Common Phrases
- Shake like jello: To tremble or vibrate noticeably, often from fear, cold, or weakness.
- She was so nervous during the speech that her hands were shaking like jello.
- Nervous as a jello in an earthquake: A humorous simile describing extreme nervousness or anxiety.
- Waiting for the test results, I was as nervous as a jello in an earthquake.
Noun
- fruit-flavored dessert (trade mark Jell-O) made from a commercially prepared gelatin powder