Definition of REEL

reel

Plural: reels

Noun

  • a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
  • music composed for dancing a reel
  • winder consisting of a revolving spool with a handle; attached to a fishing rod
  • a winder around which thread or tape or film or other flexible materials can be wound
  • a lively dance of Scottish Highlanders; marked by circular moves and gliding steps
  • an American country dance which starts with the couples facing each other in two lines
  • A shaky or unsteady gait.
  • A lively dance originating in Scotland.
  • The music of this dance; often called a Scottish (or Scotch) reel.
  • A kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are wound.
  • A device consisting of radial arms with horizontal stats, connected with a harvesting machine, for holding the stalks of grain in position to be cut by the knives.
  • A short compilation of sample film work used as a demonstrative resume in the entertainment industry.
  • A chronological collection of pictures or short videos published by a user on an app or website and typically only available for a short period.

Verb

Verb Forms: reeled, reeling, reels

  • To wind thread, film, or fishing line onto a reel.
  • walk as if unable to control one's movements
  • revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
  • wind onto or off a reel
  • To wind on a reel.
  • To spin or revolve repeatedly.
  • To unwind; to bring or acquire something by spinning or winding something else.
  • To walk shakily or unsteadily; to stagger; move as if drunk or not in control of oneself.
  • To back off, step away, or sway backwards unsteadily and suddenly.
  • To make or cause to reel.
  • To have a whirling sensation; to be giddy.
  • To be in shock.
  • To produce a mechanical insect-like song, as in grass warblers.
  • To roll.
  • To bring in or along.

Examples

  • a garden reel
  • A hose reel forms part of a hose trolley or hose cart
  • a log reel
  • an angler's reel
  • He reeled back from the punch.
  • He reeled off some tape from the roll and sealed the package.
  • He watched the points REEL in as his high-scoring word filled the Words With Friends board.
  • Nudge the fruit machine reel.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English reel, reele, from Old English rēol, hrēol, from Proto-West Germanic *hrehul, from Proto-Germanic *hrehulaz, *hrahilaz, from Proto-Indo-European *krek- (“to weave, beat”). Cognate with Icelandic ræl, hræll.

Synonyms

bobbin, careen, gyrate, keel, lurch, Scottish reel, spin, spin around, spool, stagger, swag, Virginia reel, whirl, Snap, showreel, story

Scrabble Score: 4

reel: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
reel: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
reel: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 5

reel: valid Words With Friends Word