American Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition reel in American English

reel verb

[intransitive] verb
/ril/
1

to move backward quickly

Example

He reeled under the force of the punch.

Synonyms and related words
2

to move in a way that is not steady, for example because of being drunk

Synonyms and related words
3

to feel very shocked, upset, or confused

Example

The banks were reeling from the unexpectedly large losses.

Example

Local people are still reeling at the news of his death.

Synonyms and related words
Definition reel in American English