noun
Uncommon
reel
REEL
Reel (noun) means a cylindrical device on which thread, film, cable, or fishing line is wound. Example: “He cast his line and slowly wound it back in on the reel.”
noun
1
A cylindrical device on which thread, film, cable, or fishing line is wound.
"He cast his line and slowly wound it back in on the reel."
"The tailor put a new reel of blue thread into the machine."
"We watched the first reel of the old film at the local cinema."
2
A lively traditional dance, especially from Scotland, or its music.
"The band struck up a reel and the dancers took the floor."
"Everyone joined hands to dance a reel at the village ceilidh."
"The fiddler played a lively reel that made the whole room clap."
3
A short video, especially one posted on a social media app.
"She posted a reel of highlights from the trip."
"My brother made a funny reel of his dog chasing bubbles."
"The bakery shares a reel every week showing how its bread is made."
verb
1
To stagger or lose one's balance, or to feel dizzy or shocked.
"He reeled back after hearing the news."
"Her head reeled from all the numbers being thrown at her."
"The boxer reeled across the ring after taking a heavy punch."
2
To wind something onto a reel, or pull it in.
"She reeled in the fish after a long fight."
"He reeled in the loose cable and tidied it away."
"The children reeled in the kite when the wind began to drop."
How to use reel
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA spool for winding thread or line, a Scottish dance, a short social media video, or — as a verb — to stagger or wind something in.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "real" — they sound identical but "reel" is the spool/dance/video/stagger word, while "real" means genuine.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reel in a fish
reel from shock
post a reel
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Word forms
- Plural
- reels
- Third person singular
- reels
- Past tense
- reeled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He cast his line and slowly wound it back in on the _____.
Etymology
From Old English hreol, related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning \"to weave or beat.\"
Related words
Rhymes for reel
See all rhymes for reel →Frequently asked questions
What does “reel” mean?
The word “reel” means a cylindrical device on which thread, film, cable, or fishing line is wound. In plain terms, a spool for winding thread or line, a Scottish dance, a short social media video, or — as a verb — to stagger or wind something in.
How do you pronounce “reel”?
“Reel” is pronounced REEL (/ˈɹiːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “reel” in a sentence?
Here is “reel” used in a sentence: “He cast his line and slowly wound it back in on the reel.”
What part of speech is “reel”?
Depending on how it is used, “reel” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “reel” come from?
The word “reel” comes from Old English. From Old English hreol, related to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning \"to weave or beat.\".
Is “reel” a common word?
“Reel” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “reel” have?
“Reel” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a cylindrical device on which thread, film, cable, or fishing line is wound.
What is the difference between a reel and a spool?
A reel and a spool are similar cylindrical devices for winding thread, film, cable, or line, and the terms are often used interchangeably. Reel is more common for fishing line, film, and cable, while spool is more often used for thread and wire.
What does "reel" mean on social media?
On social media apps, a reel refers to a short video, typically shared publicly, similar to other short-form video formats. This is a recent extension of the older meaning of reel as a device for winding film.
What does it mean to "reel" from shock?
To reel means to stagger or lose one's balance, or to feel dizzy or shocked, often used figuratively to describe someone struggling to process sudden bad news. For example, "she was reeling from the announcement" describes an emotional rather than physical loss of balance.
What is a reel in traditional dance?
A reel is a lively traditional dance, especially associated with Scotland, as well as the music played for it. This is a distinct sense from the video or winding-device meanings of reel.
