hair gel

noun

plural hair gels
: a gelatinous preparation used in styling hair
… a tall, thin man named Artie, who manages, with enough hair gel, to slick back a crewcut.—Eric Konigsberg
Her hair is back, not the locks I loved so much, but a shorter, goofier version that grows unevenly and will only stay in place with hair gel.—Heather Wright and Mark W. Wright

Examples of hair gel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Newsom is often accused of being an empty suit—all teeth and hair gel. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 24 Feb. 2026 The chemicals, in the end, are found in higher concentrations in products like hair gels and dyes. — David Faris, TheWeek, 12 June 2026 Historically, plant mucilage was used as a natural hair gel, and as an adhesive for paper stamps and labels. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 14 Jan. 2026 If gifting clothing feels too much for a new relationship, Crown Affair’s editor-favorite hair gel is a happy compromise. — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 21 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hair gel

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hair gel was in 1960

Rhymes for hair gel

See All Rhymes for hair gel

Browse Nearby Words

hair follicle
hair gel
hair grass
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hair gel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hair%20gel. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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