reel
reel Lexical Profile
reel Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A short, highly engaging video clip, typically shared on social media platforms, or a continuous sequence of motion picture film.
"She spent an hour scrolling through funny video reels on her phone instead of studying."
A cylindrical object or frame that turns on an axis, used for winding and storing thread, wire, film, or fishing line.
"He attached a new reel of high-tension fishing line to his rod before heading out to the lake."
A lively traditional folk dance of Scottish or Irish origin, or the fast-paced music written to accompany this dance.
"The band struck up a traditional Irish reel, and the villagers immediately took to the dance floor."
• verb
To feel deeply shocked, bewildered, or mentally disoriented, typically after experiencing devastating news or a sudden crisis.
"The coastal community is still reeling from the unexpected devastation of the hurricane."
To wind something onto a spool or cylinder, or to pull an object toward oneself using a winding mechanism.
"It took the angler nearly twenty minutes to carefully reel the massive marlin onto the deck of the boat."
To lose one's balance and stagger or lurch violently, often as a result of a physical blow, dizziness, or intoxication.
"The boxer began to reel backward after taking a heavy punch to the jaw."
Word Nuance & Usage
The word 'reel' is a homophone of 'real' (meaning genuine or actual), which can occasionally lead to spelling confusion in written English.
• Rhymes for reel
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'hrēol', meaning a reel or spool for thread. The senses of staggering and the lively dance likely derive from the rapid spinning and turning motion associated with winding a reel.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.