reel
gb/ɹˈil/ us/ɹˈil/
B2
English
~ 8300
tántorog, megrendül, nem tér magához, orsó, cséve, videó-összeállítás, rövid videó, showreel, felteker, behúz, felcsévél, megnyer, bevonz, szerez, reel
VERB
C1
1
Usage pattern:
to reel from [shock/blow/news]
The company is still reeling from last week's surprise merger announcement.
A vállalat még mindig nem tért magához a múlt heti váratlan fúziós bejelentés után.
He reeled from the punch and almost fell to the ground.
Megtántorodott az ütéstől, és majdnem a földre esett.
She was left reeling after hearing that her project had been canceled.
Hospitals are reeling under the sudden rise in patient numbers.
The town is reeling from the effects of the storm.
Learner examples
The city is reeling from the big earthquake.
A város még mindig nem tért magához az erős földrengés után.
He reeled from the bad news about his job.
Megrendült az állásával kapcsolatos rossz hírtől.
She reeled for a moment and had to sit down.
Fans are reeling after the team lost the final game.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reel' with 'real' in writing because they sound similar. Another mistake is thinking 'reel' only means a video clip and not recognizing this emotional or physical sense, especially in news headlines like 'Investors reeling after market crash'.
Meaning
feel dizzy or deeply shocked
Collocations
reel from the news
|reel from the shock
|left reeling
|reel under pressure
|reel from the blow
Synonyms
stagger (Focuses more on the unsteady physical movement; 'reel' is often used for a mental or emotional effect as well.)
Antonyms
compose oneself (Means to calm down and regain control of your feelings, the opposite of reeling from a shock.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|news
Definition
To feel like you cannot stand or think straight because you are very dizzy, tired, or shocked by something bad or surprising.
To be or feel as if you are losing your balance, especially because you are dizzy, shocked, or hit by something sudden.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a reel of [material]
He checked the fishing reel before casting his line into the lake.
Ellenőrizte a horgászorsót, mielőtt bedobta volna a zsinórt a tóba.
The film was stored on large metal reels in the archive.
A filmet nagy fémorsókon tárolták az archívumban.
She bought a new reel of cable for the project.
Fire hoses were neatly coiled on reels along the wall.
The old tape reel jammed and had to be replaced.
Learner examples
He turned the reel to pull in the fishing line.
Megtekerte az orsót, hogy behúzza a horgászzsinórt.
The movie was on a big metal reel.
A film egy nagy fémorsón volt.
She used a reel of red thread to fix her dress.
They kept the garden hose on a reel.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'reel' only refers to digital videos and forget this physical object sense, especially in phrases like 'fishing reel' or 'a reel of cable'. Some also mix up 'reel' and 'roll'; 'reel' usually has a central cylinder with material wound around it, while 'roll' often refers to the shape of the material itself.
Meaning
device for winding line or tape
Collocations
fishing reel
|tape reel
|hose reel
|spinning reel
|reel of thread
Synonyms
spool (Very similar meaning, but 'spool' is more general and does not suggest a handle or mechanism as strongly as 'reel' does.)
Antonyms
unwound length (Refers to the same material spread out and not stored on a device, conceptually opposite to being neatly kept on a reel.)
Themes
tools
|hobbies
|technology
|daily_life
|work
Definition
A round object that you turn to wind and keep long things like fishing line, tape, or hose neatly wrapped.
A cylindrical device, often with a handle, used for winding and storing long, thin, flexible material such as fishing line, wire, tape, or hose.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
a reel of [film/video]
She posted a short reel of her trip on social media.
Egy rövid videót posztolt az útjáról a közösségi médiában.
The actor sent his demo reel to several casting agents.
A színész több castingügynöknek is elküldte a demóvideóját.
The sports channel showed a highlight reel of last night's game.
They watched an old reel of family footage from the 1980s.
The blooper reel at the end of the movie made everyone laugh.
Learner examples
I made a reel of my best photos and videos.
Készítettem egy videó-összeállítást a legjobb fotóimból és videóimból.
He sent a reel of his acting work to the director.
Elküldött a rendezőnek egy összeállítást a színészi munkáiból.
We watched a funny reel of cat videos online.
The team saw a reel of their best goals.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume that 'reel' in the social media sense is only used with one company name (for example, only 'Instagram Reels') and not realize it can also mean a demo reel, highlight reel, or any edited sequence of clips. Another confusion is between this media sense and the physical device sense; context usually makes it clear.
Meaning
section or clip of film or video
Collocations
Instagram reel
|short reel
|highlight reel
|demo reel
|blooper reel
Synonyms
clip (Common in digital media; 'clip' is more general, while 'reel' often suggests an edited or themed collection of clips.)
Antonyms
still image (A single non-moving picture, the opposite of a moving sequence of images in a reel.)
Themes
entertainment
|technology
|social media
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Definition
A piece of film or a short video clip, often cut together to show important or interesting parts.
A continuous length of film, audio, or video that is treated as a single unit, especially a short edited clip or collection of clips.
VERB
C1
4
Usage pattern:
to reel [something] in
He slowly reeled in the fish, careful not to break the line.
Lassan húzta be a halat, vigyázva, hogy el ne szakadjon a damil.
After watering the garden, she reeled the hose back onto its stand.
Miután meglocsolta a kertet, visszatekerte a tömlőt az állványára.
The crew reeled in the heavy cable before the storm arrived.
She felt a strong pull and quickly reeled in her catch.
They reeled in the kite as the wind picked up.
Learner examples
He reeled in the fish from the lake.
Behúzta a halat a tóból.
She reeled in the long garden hose.
Feltekerte a hosszú kerti tömlőt.
The worker reeled in the cable after using it.
They reeled in the rope to bring the boat closer.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'pull in' instead of 'reel in' in fishing or similar contexts. 'Pull in' is correct but more general; 'reel in' clearly suggests using a reel or winding action. Another mistake is using 'reel' without 'in' when they mean the phrasal verb, as in '*He reeled the job*' instead of 'He reeled in the job.'
Meaning
wind line or material onto reel
Collocations
reel in a fish
|reel in the line
|reel the hose back
|reel in the kite
|reel in the cable
Synonyms
wind (A more general verb for wrapping something around a center; 'reel' implies using a specific type of device and often pulling something in.)
Antonyms
unwind (Means to let line or similar material come off the reel, the opposite of winding it on.)
Themes
hobbies
|outdoors
|tools
|daily_life
|work
Definition
To turn a reel so that line, rope, or hose wraps around it, often to pull something closer.
To wind a long, thin, flexible thing such as line, rope, or hose onto a reel by turning it, often in order to pull something in.
VERB
B2
5
Usage pattern:
to reel in [someone/something]
The company is trying to reel in younger customers with a new app.
A vállalat egy új alkalmazással próbálja megnyerni a fiatalabb vásárlókat.
Her presentation helped reel in several major sponsors.
Az előadása több jelentős szponzor megnyerésében is segített.
The campaign managed to reel in undecided voters before election day.
They used a big discount to reel in first-time buyers.
The agency reeled in a high-profile celebrity client.
Learner examples
The store used low prices to reel in new customers.
Az üzlet alacsony árakkal vonzott be új vásárlókat.
His good smile helped him reel in many clients.
A kedves mosolya sok ügyfél megszerzésében segített neki.
The ad was made to reel in young people.
They worked hard to reel in a big contract.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'reel' without 'in' here, for example '*The company reeled many customers*'; the usual phrase is 'reel in many customers.' Another issue is overusing it in very formal writing; in formal business texts, verbs like 'attract' or 'acquire' may sound more appropriate.
Meaning
attract and secure something or someone
Collocations
reel in customers
|reel in new clients
|reel in voters
|reel in a big contract
|reel in a partner
Synonyms
land (Informal business term meaning to successfully get something (like a job or contract); 'reel in' keeps the fishing metaphor and suggests steady effort to bring it in.)
Antonyms
lose (To fail to get or to stop having something or someone you wanted, opposite of successfully reeling them in.)
Themes
business
|relationships
|persuasion
|communication
Definition
To bring in or get something you want, like new customers, a big deal, or a partner, especially by making a strong effort.
To successfully attract and obtain something or someone that you want, especially customers, supporters, or opportunities, often after effort.
NOUN
C1
6
reel
C1
Usage pattern:
to dance a reel
The band played a lively reel and everyone rushed to the dance floor.
A zenekar egy lendületes reelt játszott, és mindenki a táncparkettre sietett.
At the wedding, guests learned a simple Scottish reel.
Az esküvőn a vendégek megtanultak egy egyszerű skót reelt.
The music session ended with a fast set of reels.
Children performed a traditional Irish reel at the festival.
They practised the steps of the reel before the ceilidh.
Learner examples
They danced a reel at the Scottish party.
Reelt táncoltak a skót összejövetelen.
The band played a fast reel.
A zenekar egy gyors reelt játszott.
We learned a simple Irish reel in class.
The reel was fun but very quick.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'reel' only refers to video content and not realize it can also be a type of dance, especially in cultural or musical contexts like 'a Scottish reel.'
Meaning
lively traditional folk dance
Collocations
Scottish reel
|Irish reel
|dance a reel
|traditional reel
|reel music
Synonyms
folk dance (A more general term; 'reel' is a specific type of fast folk dance with particular steps and rhythm.)
Antonyms
waltz (A contrasting traditional dance that is slower and smoother, often seen as the opposite style of a quick, bouncy reel.)
Themes
music
|culture
|entertainment
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A fast, happy traditional dance, usually from Scotland or Ireland, where people dance in lines or circles to quick music.
A lively traditional folk dance, especially from Scotland or Ireland, in which dancers move in patterns and circles, usually to fast music in a specific rhythm.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reel
IPA
GB/ɹˈil/
US/ɹˈil/
Syllables & stress
reel (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (reel)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reel
- Plural: reels
Verb
- Base: reel
- 3rd Person Singular: reels
- Present Participle: reeling
- Past: reeled
Word family
Forms
reels
noun
reeling
verb
reeled
verb
Advanced or less common
unreel
verb
Expressions
blooper reel
1/blˈupɚ ɹˈil/
fixed phrase
video of mistakes and outtakes
A short film or video that shows funny mistakes and wrong takes made while making a movie, show, or video.
Examples
- Stay until the end of the credits to see the blooper reel.
- They released a blooper reel from the shoot, and fans loved it.
- The blooper reel showed the actors laughing and forgetting their lines.
demo reel
1/dˈɛmoʊ ɹˈil/
fixed phrase
sample video of best work
A short video that shows the best parts of someone's work, used to get a job or audition, especially in film, TV, or acting.
Examples
- The director asked each actor to send a demo reel.
- She updated her demo reel with scenes from her latest film.
- Animators often use a demo reel to show studios what they can do.
reel from
1/ɹˈil fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
be badly shocked by something
To feel very shocked, upset, or weak because of something bad that has just happened.
Examples
- The town is still reeling from the factory closure.
- Investors are reeling from the sudden market crash.
- She is reeling from the loss of her father.
reel in
1/ɹˈil ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
pull in or attract
To pull something toward you by winding a line, or to attract and get something or someone you want, like a customer or a deal.
Examples
- He finally reeled in the huge fish after a long fight.
- The company used free trials to reel in thousands of new users.
- Her TikTok videos reeled in a large international audience.
reel off
1/ɹˈil ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
list things quickly and easily
To say or produce a long list of names, numbers, facts, or things very quickly and easily, without stopping.
Examples
- She reeled off the names of all the world capitals without hesitation.
- The lawyer reeled off several reasons why the deal was risky.
- He can reel off company statistics for the last ten years.
highlight reel
1/hˈaɪlˌaɪt ɹˈil/
fixed phrase
Video of best moments
A short video that shows only the best or most exciting parts of an event, game, or performance.
Examples
- They played his highlight reel before he received the award.
- The sports channel played a highlight reel of last night's match.
- The sports channel showed a highlight reel of yesterday's match.
- Social media often shows only a highlight reel of people's lives.
- The editor cut a highlight reel from hours of raw footage.