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

1. fruit-flavored dessert (trade mark Jell-O) made from a commercially prepared gelatin powder