reel

1
[ reel ]
/ ril /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR reel ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Idioms for reel

    off the reel,
    1. without pause; continuously.
    2. without delay or hesitation; immediately.
    Also right off the reel.

Origin of reel

1
before 1050; (noun) Middle English rele, Old English hrēol; cognate with Old Norse hræll weaver's rod; (v.) Middle English relen, derivative of rele

OTHER WORDS FROM reel

reel·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby reel

reefer, reeffish, reefing, reefing jacket, reek, reel, reel man, reel of three, reel off, reel-fed, reel-to-reel

Words related to reel off

declaim, repeat, communicate, perform, chant, explain, rehearse, deliver, enumerate, mention, recount, reply, utter, interpret, speak, disclose, reveal, instruct, confess, express

British Dictionary definitions for reel off (1 of 4)

reel off

verb

(tr, adverb) to recite or write fluently and without apparent effort to reel off items on a list

British Dictionary definitions for reel off (2 of 4)

reel 1
/ (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 wound US 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 reel to reel in a fish

Derived forms of reel

reelable, adjective reeler, noun

Word Origin for reel

Old English hrēol; related to Old Norse hrǣll weaver's rod, Greek krekein to weave

British Dictionary definitions for reel off (3 of 4)

reel 2
/ (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 about his 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 off (4 of 4)

reel 3
/ (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

Idioms and Phrases with reel off

reel off

see rattle off.