reel
1a cylinder, frame, or other device that turns on an axis and is used to wind up or pay out something.
a rotatory device attached to a fishing rod at the butt, for winding up or letting out the line.
Photography.
a spool on which film, especially motion-picture film, is wound.
a roll of motion-picture film.
a holder for roll film in a developing tank.
a quantity of something wound on a reel.
Chiefly British. a spool of sewing thread; a roller or bobbin of sewing thread.
to wind on a reel, as thread, yarn, etc.
to unwind (silk filaments) from a cocoon.
to pull or draw by winding a line on a reel: to reel a fish in.
reel off, to say, write, or produce quickly and easily: The old sailor reeled off one story after another.
Idioms about reel
off the reel, : Also right off the reel.
without pause; continuously.
without delay or hesitation; immediately.
Origin of reel
1Other words from reel
- reel·a·ble, adjective
Words Nearby reel
Other definitions for reel (2 of 3)
to sway or rock under a blow, shock, etc.: The boxer reeled and fell.
to waver or fall back: The troops reeled and then ran.
to sway about in standing or walking, as from dizziness, intoxication, etc.; stagger.
to turn round and round; whirl.
to have a sensation of whirling: By the time we reached camp, my mind was reeling—there were so many incredible sights to take in!
to be in a state of shock, confusion, or disorder: The real-estate market is reeling from the compounding effects of oversupply, rising vacancy rates, and weak demand.
to cause to reel.
an act of reeling; a reeling or staggering movement.
Origin of reel
2synonym study For reel
Other definitions for reel (3 of 3)
Origin of reel
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use reel in a sentence
The men cutting the reel aren’t satisfied because they can’t figure out why Kane’s last word was “Rosebud,” and they send a reporter to go figure it out by interviewing Kane’s former friends and associates.
The tangled history behind David Fincher’s Mank — and its link to Citizen Kane — explained | Alissa Wilkinson | December 4, 2020 | VoxI compile a highlights reel featuring the moments in my life I hold most dear.
Every Thanksgiving, my mental health strategy is recalling memorable, personal moments | Bob Brody | November 23, 2020 | Washington PostMuch like the early-pandemic hit The Last Dance, about Michael Jordan’s run with the Chicago Bulls, Rising Phoenix appeals as a nonstop highlight reel.
If you’re new to fishing, you can find inexpensive spinning rod combos, which come with both the rod and reel and are easy for beginners to use.
Three Family-Friendly Adventures to Try This Fall | Outside Editors | September 17, 2020 | Outside OnlineLike the TikTok “For You Page,” the emphasis of Reels is to discover new content and users — including those owned by businesses — can opt to share their reel with the wider Instagram audience.
‘Building up a community first’: Instagram Reels has little on offer for advertisers — for now | Lara O'Reilly | August 6, 2020 | Digiday
Boyhood is like watching a twelve season television series reduced to a three-hour highlight reel.
No one was harmed during the filming, but judging by the blooper reel at the end, there were a lot of respawns.
Viral Video of the Day: Terminator 2, Grand Theft Auto V Style | Alex Chancey | June 6, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTOn March 26, Bieber debuted one of the greatest hits on his scandal reel.
Justin Bieber’s No Good, Very Bad Year: Alleged Prostitutes, Reckless Driving, and More | Amy Zimmerman | December 13, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTIt is, on the other hand, a sizzle reel of quotable dialogue.
‘Girls’ Season 3 Trailer Debuts. Is It the Most Relatable Yet? | Kevin Fallon | November 22, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTreel retraces his life and work with the spirit of curiosity and adventure that drove du Chaillu in the first place.
I've always hed a reel mean feelin' about 'em; I didn't want ter come nigh 'em, nor ter hev 'em come nigh me.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonThe carnage was awful, and the charging columns halted, staggered, and then began to reel back.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. DunnA drunken man would reel from one side to the other until he fell down a cellar trap-door, into the gutter, or into the sea.
Skipper Worse | Alexander Lange KiellandLawrence saw one of his men reel and then fall forward, clutching his horse's neck.
The Courier of the Ozarks | Byron A. DunnThe finished product is delivered to a belt-driven coiling reel on which it is wound.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | Various
British Dictionary definitions for reel (1 of 3)
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /
any of various cylindrical objects or frames that turn on an axis and onto which film, magnetic tape, paper tape, wire, thread, etc, may be wound: US equivalent: spool
angling a device for winding, casting, etc, consisting of a revolving spool with a handle, attached to a fishing rod
a roll of celluloid exhibiting a sequence of photographs to be projected
to wind (cotton, thread, etc) onto a reel
(foll by in, out etc) to wind or draw with a reel: to reel in a fish
Origin of reel
1Derived forms of reel
- reelable, adjective
- reeler, noun
British Dictionary definitions for reel (2 of 3)
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /
to sway, esp under the shock of a blow or through dizziness or drunkenness
to whirl about or have the feeling of whirling about: his brain reeled
a staggering or swaying motion or sensation
Origin of reel
2British Dictionary definitions for reel (3 of 3)
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /
any of various lively Scottish dances, such as the eightsome reel and foursome reel for a fixed number of couples who combine in square and circular formations
a piece of music having eight quavers to the bar composed for or in the rhythm of this dance
Origin of reel
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse