1 ADJ If someone is jealous , they feel angry or bitter because they think that another person is trying to take a lover or friend, or a possession, away from them. □ She got insanely jealous and there was a terrible fight. ● jeal|ous|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ The formula is jealously guarded.
2 ADJ If you are jealous of another person's possessions or qualities, you feel angry or bitter because you do not have them. □ [+ of ] She was jealous of his wealth. □ You're jealous because the record company rejected your idea. ● jeal|ous|ly ADV [ADV after v] □ Gloria eyed them jealously.
jeal|ousy /dʒe ləsi/ (jealousies )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Jealousy is the feeling of anger or bitterness which someone has when they think that another person is trying to take a lover or friend, or a possession, away from them. □ At first his jealousy only showed in small ways–he didn't mind me talking to other guys.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Jealousy is the feeling of anger or bitterness which someone has when they wish that they could have the qualities or possessions that another person has. □ Her beauty causes envy and jealousy.
jeans /dʒiː nz/ N‑PLURAL [oft a pair of N ] Jeans are casual trousers that are usually made of strong blue cotton cloth called denim.
Jeep /dʒiː p/ (Jeeps ) N‑COUNT A Jeep is a type of car that can travel over rough ground. [TRADEMARK ] □ …a U.S. Army Jeep.
jeer /dʒ I ə r / (jeers , jeering , jeered )
1 VERB To jeer at someone means to say or shout rude and insulting things to them to show that you do not like or respect them. □ [V + at ] Marchers jeered at white passers-by, but there was no violence, nor any arrests. □ [V n] Demonstrators have jeered the mayor as he arrived for a week long visit. □ [V ] I didn't come here today to jeer: I want to give advice. □ [V -ing] …mobs of jeering bystanders. [Also V with quote] ● jeer|ing N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ from ] There was constant jeering and interruption from the floor.
2 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Jeers are rude and insulting things that people shout to show they do not like or respect someone. □ [+ of ] …the heckling and jeers of his audience.
Jeez /dʒi ːz/ also Jees EXCLAM Some people say Jeez when they are shocked or surprised about something, or to introduce a remark or response. Jeez is short for 'Jesus'. This use could cause offence. [INFORMAL ] □ Jeez, I wish they'd tell us what the hell is going on.
jeg|gings /dʒe g I ŋz/ N‑PLURAL Jeggings are women’s leggings that are designed to look like tight jeans. □ Flats work fabulously with this season's jeggings and a longline vest.
Je|ho|vah /dʒ I hoʊ və/ N‑PROPER Jehovah is the name given to God in the Old Testament.
Je|ho |vah's Wi t|ness (Jehovah's Witnesses ) N‑COUNT A Jehovah's Witness is a member of a religious organization which accepts some Christian ideas and believes that the world is going to end very soon.
je|june /dʒ I dʒuː n/
1 ADJ If you describe something or someone as jejune , you are criticizing them for being very simple and unsophisticated. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ They were of great service in correcting my jejune generalizations.
2 ADJ If you describe something or someone as jejune , you mean they are dull and boring. [OLD-FASHIONED ] □ We knew we were in for a pretty long, jejune evening.
jell /dʒe l/ → see gel
jel|lied /dʒe lid/ ADJ [ADJ n] Jellied food is prepared and eaten in a jelly. □ …jellied eels.
Je ll-O N‑UNCOUNT Jell-O is a transparent, usually coloured food that is eaten as a dessert. It is made from gelatine, fruit juice, and sugar. [AM , TRADEMARK ] in BRIT, use jelly
jel|ly /dʒe li/ (jellies )
1 N‑VAR Jelly is a transparent, usually coloured food that is eaten as a dessert. It is made from gelatine, fruit juice, and sugar. [BRIT ] □ …a large bowl of jelly. in AM, use Jell-O 2 N‑VAR Jelly is a thick sweet food that is made by cooking fruit with a large amount of sugar, and that is usually spread on bread. [AM ] □ I had two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. in BRIT, use jam 3 N‑VAR A jelly is a transparent substance that is not completely solid. □ …meat in jelly.
4 → see also royal jelly
je l|ly bean (jelly beans ) also jellybean N‑COUNT [usu pl] Jelly beans are small coloured sweets that are hard on the outside and soft inside.
jelly|fish /dʒe lif I ʃ/ (jellyfish ) N‑COUNT A jellyfish is a sea creature that has a clear soft body and can sting you.
je l|ly roll (jelly rolls ) N‑VAR Jelly roll is a cylindrical cake made from a thin, flat cake which is covered with jam or cream on one side, then rolled up. [AM ] in BRIT, use swiss roll
jeop|ard|ize /dʒe pə r da I z/ (jeopardizes , jeopardizing , jeopardized ) in BRIT, also use jeopardise VERB To jeopardize a situation or activity means to do something that may destroy it or cause it to fail. □ [V n] He has jeopardised the future of his government.
jeop|ardy /dʒe pə r di/ PHRASE If someone or something is in jeopardy , they are in a dangerous situation where they might fail, be lost, or be destroyed. □ A series of setbacks have put the whole project in jeopardy.
jerk /dʒɜː r k/ (jerks , jerking , jerked )
1 VERB If you jerk something or someone in a particular direction, or they jerk in a particular direction, they move a short distance very suddenly and quickly. □ [V adv/prep] Mr Griffin jerked forward in his chair. □ [V n adv/prep] 'This is Brady Coyne,' said Sam, jerking his head in my direction. □ [V n adj] Eleanor jerked her wrist free. ● N‑COUNT Jerk is also a noun. □ [+ of ] He indicated the bedroom with a jerk of his head.