Reel Definition

rēl
reeled, reeling, reels
noun
reels
A reeling motion; whirl, stagger, etc.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
A frame or spool on which thread, wire, tape, film, a net, etc. is wound.
Webster's New World
Such a frame set on the handle of a fishing rod, to wind up or let out the line.
Webster's New World
A lively Scottish dance.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
verb
reeled, reeling, reels
To give way or fall back; sway, waver, or stagger as from being struck.
Webster's New World
To wind on or let out from a reel.
American Heritage
To recover by winding on a reel.
Reel in a large fish.
American Heritage
To lurch or stagger about, as from drunkenness or dizziness.
Webster's New World
To go around and around; whirl.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
idiom
reel in
  • to wind on a reel
  • to pull in (a fish) by winding a line on a reel
Webster's New World
reel off
  • to tell, write, produce, etc. easily and quickly
Webster's New World
reel out
  • to unwind from a reel
Webster's New World
(right) off the reel
  • without hesitation or pause
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Reel

Noun

Singular:
reel
Plural:
reels

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Reel

Origin of Reel

  • Middle English relen to whirl about probably from reel spool reel1

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English from Old English hrēol

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Origin unknown

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to reel using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

Words Ending With

Unscrambles

reel