reel
reel — noun
1. a round item with raised edges designed to hold thread, film, wire, or fishing l
a round item with raised edges designed to hold thread, film, wire, or fishing line, including any material wound around it
Anong bought a new reel of fishing line before the weekend trip.
reel of + material
The old film projector had two large reels that needed to be changed.
Camila wound the thread tightly around the wooden reel.
wound [thread] around [reel]
A full reel of sewing thread lasts for several small projects.
- reel of film
- reel of thread
- fishing reel
- wind onto a reel
Usage Note
Commonly used with 'of' to specify the material or amount: 'a reel of film,' 'three reels of thread.'
Common Mistakes
2. a type of fast, lively dance that comes from Scotland or Ireland, or the music p
a type of fast, lively dance that comes from Scotland or Ireland, or the music played for this kind of dance
The dancers performed a traditional Scottish reel at the Highland games.
perform a [Scottish/Irish] reel
Megan learned to dance an Irish reel during her summer vacation in Dublin.
The band played a lively reel that got everyone on the dance floor.
play a reel (music)
Couples formed two lines for the reel at the village celebration.
- dance a reel
- play a reel
- Scottish reel
- Irish reel
- jig
a different but related fast Irish dance in 6/8 time
Usage Note
Dance reels are typically performed by couples or groups. The word can refer either to the dance itself or to the accompanying music.
3. a short, often entertaining video that someone uploads to a social networking si
a short, often entertaining video that someone uploads to a social networking site
Hassan posted a cooking reel showing how to make pasta from scratch.
post a reel on [platform]
Her travel reels get thousands of views every day.
The company asked influencers to create product reels for the new phone.
create/make a reel
Xiu scrolled through dance reels for an hour before dinner.
- post a reel
- watch reels
- create a reel
- travel reel
- dance reel
- short video
more general; less tied to a specific platform
- clip
usually shorter and less produced
Usage Note
Capitalized as 'Reel' when referring specifically to Instagram's feature. Often used in informal online contexts.
reel — verb
1. to walk in a shaky way, swaying left and right as though about to fall
to walk in a shaky way, swaying left and right as though about to fall
After the punch, the boxer reeled backward and fell to his knees.
reel + direction (backward, forward)
Noa reeled out of the room after hearing the terrible news.
The old man reeled and almost dropped his walking stick.
Tanvi reeled from the strong wind as she crossed the bridge.
reel from [force / blow]
- reel backward
- reel from a blow
- reel out of
Usage Note
Often followed by a direction or prepositional phrase indicating movement ('reel backward,' 'reel from the blow').
Common Mistakes
2. when your surroundings appear to spin or turn around you, often because you feel
when your surroundings appear to spin or turn around you, often because you feel sick or dizzy
The room reeled around Madison after she stood up too quickly.
the [place] reeled around [person]
Everything seemed to reel before my eyes during the fever.
The horizon reeled as the ship rocked violently in the storm.
After five cups of coffee, the whiteboard letters seemed to reel.
- the room reels
- the world reeled
- reel before one's eyes
Usage Note
The subject is typically the place or surroundings, not the person. 'The room reeled' implies the person felt dizzy.
3. to feel extremely shocked, confused, or upset by something sudden or unexpected,
to feel extremely shocked, confused, or upset by something sudden or unexpected, so that you cannot think clearly or act normally
The whole country reeled at the news of the earthquake.
reel at + news / announcement
Mert reeled from the sudden loss of his job and could not sleep.
reel from + shock / loss
Esme's mind reeled when she learned about the family secret.
mind / brain reels
The stock market reeled after the company announced its bankruptcy.
- reel at the news
- reel from the shock
- mind reels
- reel in shock
- be stunned
more passive; suggests being unable to move or speak
- be staggered
emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the shock
Grammar Patterns
reel at + noun
reel from + noun
Usage Note
Can be used figuratively with organizations, markets, or groups as the subject. 'Mind' or 'brain' often serves as the subject: 'My mind reeled.'
Common Mistakes
4. to turn a handle or wheel to wind a long, thin material such as thread, film, or
to turn a handle or wheel to wind a long, thin material such as thread, film, or fishing line onto a tube or spool, or to pull it off
Caio reeled the fishing line in slowly after feeling a bite.
reel + object + in
Luca carefully reeled the old film back onto its spool.
The fisherman reeled his line out and waited for a catch.
reel out (opposite of reel in)
Sofie handed me the hose and asked me to reel it in.
- reel in a fish
- reel out the line
- reel off the rope
- reel film back
- wind
more general; 'reel' specifically implies using a reel mechanism
Grammar Patterns
reel + object + in/out/off/onto
Usage Note
Commonly used with particles: 'reel in' (pull toward you), 'reel out' (let out), 'reel off' (unwind quickly; also a separate phrasal verb meaning 'recite fluently').
reel in
phrasal verbto pull something toward you by winding a line or cord around a reel; also used figuratively to mean attracting or capturing someone's interest or attention
The angler spent an hour reeling in a huge salmon from the river.
The company used a clever advertisement to reel in new customers.
reel off
phrasal verbto say or repeat something quickly and easily from memory, without stopping to think
Anong could reel off all the names of the US presidents in order.
The tour guide reeled off facts about the castle without glancing at notes.