reel

/ri:l/
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reel

A fisherman casts his line, the reel spinning smoothly.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A cylindrical device for winding: A spool or frame that rotates, used for winding flexible materials like thread, film, rope, or fishing line.
    • A quantity of wound material: The measured amount of a material, such as film or tape, contained on one spool.
    • A lively folk dance: A fast-paced dance, often of Scottish or American origin, characterized by circular patterns and couples facing each other in lines.
    • Music for such a dance: A piece of music composed for performing a reel.
  2. Verb:

    • To wind on or off a spool: To draw something in or let it out by winding it onto or off a reel.
    • To stagger or sway unsteadily: To walk or move in a clumsy, staggering manner, often as if about to fall.
    • To whirl or spin: To revolve rapidly, or to feel as if everything is spinning around, often due to dizziness or shock.
    • To recite rapidly: To say or write something at great speed and without apparent effort.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • He replaced the empty reel on the fishing rod. (The spool on the fishing equipment was changed.)
    • The film was stored on several large reels. (The movie was contained on multiple large spools of film.)
    • They danced a traditional Irish reel at the festival. (They performed a fast folk dance.)
  • Verb:

    • She began to reel in the fishing line. (She started winding the line back onto the spool.)
    • The boxer was hit hard and began to reel backwards. (The boxer staggered unsteadily after the punch.)
    • My head started to reel from the overwhelming news. (I felt dizzy and disoriented from the shocking information.)
    • He could reel off the names of all the presidents in order. (He could recite the list quickly and fluently.)
Advanced Usage
  • "reel from something": To be shocked, upset, or overwhelmed by something, causing a disoriented or staggering reaction, either physically or mentally.

    • The community is still reeling from the sudden loss. (The community is deeply shocked and struggling to cope.)
  • "reel something off": To say, list, or produce something quickly and easily without pause.

    • The seasoned comedian could reel off jokes one after another. (The comedian could deliver jokes in rapid succession.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Reeler (n): A person or machine that reels something.
  • Reeling (adj/gerund): The act of winding or staggering; a state of dizziness or shock.
    • He was in a reeling state of confusion.
Synonyms
  • Spool, bobbin (n): For the winding device.
  • Stagger, totter, lurch (v): For unsteady movement.
  • Recite, rattle off, list (v): For speaking rapidly.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Reel in: To pull something toward you by winding a reel; (figuratively) to attract or secure something, like a deal or a person.

    • He managed to reel in a large fish. (He successfully pulled the fish in.)
    • The marketing campaign helped reel in new customers. (The campaign helped attract new clients.)
  • Reel off: To recite or produce something rapidly and effortlessly.

    • She can reel off statistics about the economy. (She can quote economic data quickly.)
  • Reel back/away: To stagger backwards, often in shock or to avoid something.

    • She reeled back in horror at the sight. (She staggered backwards, horrified.)
Related Idioms
  • Off the reel: Continuously, without stopping or pausing.

    • He talked for an hour off the reel. (He talked non-stop for an hour.)
  • Reel under the impact/blow: To be severely affected or overwhelmed by a difficult event or piece of news.

    • The company reels under the financial blow. (The company is struggling severely due to the financial hit.)
reel

A fisherman casts his line, the reel spinning smoothly.

Noun
  1. an American country dance which starts with the couples facing each other in two lines
  2. a lively dance of Scottish Highlanders; marked by circular moves and gliding steps
  3. a winder around which thread or tape or film or other flexible materials can be wound
  4. winder consisting of a revolving spool with a handle; attached to a fishing rod
  5. music composed for dancing a reel
  6. a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
Verb
  1. wind onto or off a reel
  2. revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
    • The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy
  3. walk as if unable to control one's movements
    • The drunken man staggered into the room