JEL

What Does JEL Mean in a Text?

The Quick Answer

JEL (jealous or jealousy) is typically used in response to hearing positive news from a colleague.

More Detail...

It denotes a state of envy for the originator's good news. The term "WELL JEL" (meaning very jealous or very envious) has become common in the United Kingdom due its widespread use in the TV series "The Only Way Is Essex" (TOWIE).

Image for JEL

When I write JEL, I mean this:

Jealousy is often described as the green-eyed monster.

Summary of Key Points

"Jealous" is, by far, the most common meaning for JEL when it is used in a text. (Bear in mind that it could have another meaning if used in a different context.)

JEL
Definition:	Jealous
Type:	Word and Abbreviation
Guessability:	1: Easy to guess
Typical Users:	Adults and Teenagers

Examples of JEL in Sentences

Here is an example of JEL in a sentence:

• Tony: I'm getting my new car tomorrow.
• Jordan: The Jeep? I'm WELL JEL!

An Academic Look at JEL

JEL is a shortened version of jealous and is therefore a contraction. Of interest, the word jealousy is meant to describe a situation involving an attack by a third party on something we already own (usually a relationship). It is meant to be distinct from envy which describes wanting to have something owned by someone else (usually a possession or a trait). For example:

• I feel jealous when you dance with my girlfriend.
(Jealousy is about protecting something you already have.)
• I feel envious of your good looks.
(Envy is about wanting something somebody else has.)

Technically speaking, JEL is most commonly used to mean envious as opposed to jealous. However, the distinction between envy and jealousy is disappearing fast. Therefore, it is safe to assume that JEL can mean envious/envy or jealous/jealousy.

Example of JEL Used in a Text

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