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reel
1[ reel ]
/ ril /
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noun
verb (used with object)
Verb Phrases
reel off, to say, write, or produce quickly and easily: The old sailor reeled off one story after another.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Idioms about reel
- without pause; continuously.
- without delay or hesitation; immediately.
off the reel,
Origin of reel
1First recorded before 1050; Middle English noun rel(e), Old English hrēol; rēol, cognate with Old Norse hræll “weaver's rod”; the verb is derivative of the noun
OTHER WORDS FROM reel
reel·a·ble, adjectiveWords nearby reel
reeffish, reefing jacket, reef knot, reef point, reek, reel, re-elect, re-election, reeled silk, reeler, reel-fed
Other definitions for reel (2 of 3)
reel2
[ reel ]
/ ril /
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
to cause to reel.
noun
an act of reeling; a reeling or staggering movement.
Origin of reel
2First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English relen, apparently derivative of rele “rod, reel” (see reel1)
synonym study for reel
3. See stagger.
Other definitions for reel (3 of 3)
Origin of reel
3First recorded in 1575–85; special use of reel2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use reel in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for reel (1 of 3)
reel1
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /
noun
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 woundUS 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
verb (tr)
to wind (cotton, thread, etc) onto a reel
(foll by in, out etc) to wind or draw with a reelto reel in a fish
Derived forms of reel
reelable, adjectivereeler, nounWord Origin for reel
Old English hrēol; related to Old Norse hrǣll weaver's rod, Greek krekein to weave
British Dictionary definitions for reel (2 of 3)
reel2
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /
verb (mainly intr)
to sway, esp under the shock of a blow or through dizziness or drunkenness
to whirl about or have the feeling of whirling abouthis brain reeled
noun
a staggering or swaying motion or sensation
Word Origin for reel
C14 relen, probably from reel 1
British Dictionary definitions for reel (3 of 3)
reel3
/ (riːl, rɪəl) /
noun
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
Word Origin for reel
C18: from reel ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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