British English Slang – Well jel
What Does “Well Jel” Mean?
Very jealous.
- “Peter has just bought a new house and it’s massive. I’m well jel!”
- “She got tickets to the sold-out show — I’m so well jel.”
The same feeling gets a more old-fashioned airing in the idiom the green-eyed monster.
Where Does “Well Jel” Come From?
This slang originated in Essex , which is a county in the southeast of England. The expression well jel was made famous after being used many times on a UK TV show called The Only Way Is Essex.
Other Essex Slang You Might Like
“Well jel” wasn’t the only phrase The Only Way Is Essex sent into everyday British English. “Reem” (meaning great, or good-looking) and the same “well” pattern in “well good” and “well bad” all come from the same corner of slang – “well” works as an intensifier in place of “very” across a lot of informal British English.
Other Ways to Say Jealous
- Green with envy – very jealous. “She was green with envy when she saw my new car.”
- The green-eyed monster – jealousy, described as if it were a creature. “Watch out for the green-eyed monster!”
- Envious – a more formal word for wanting what someone else has.
- Sour grapes – pretending you don’t want something because you can’t have it. “He says the job was boring, but that’s just sour grapes.”
Listen:
Not sure how to pronounce it? Hit play to hear “well jel” used in a sentence.
What is slang?
Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, though it’s dated a little — it peaked in the mid-2010s thanks to The Only Way Is Essex, but you’ll still hear it, especially among people who grew up watching the show.
Yes — “well” works like “very” or “really” in a lot of informal British English: well good, well bad, and well tired all follow the same pattern.
Not at all — it’s a light, joking way to say you’re envious of something, not a genuine accusation.
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