reel
REEL
/riːl/
A cylinder or spindle on which fishing line is wound; as a verb, to wind a line onto a reel, or to stagger and lose one's balance.
As a noun, it refers to the mechanical device attached to the rod. As a verb, 'reel' specifically implies gathering line back in, often against the resistance of a fighting fish.
The story behind the word. Long before it was used for sport fishing, a 'hreol' was a simple wooden tool used by Anglo-Saxon weavers to wind up spun thread. It wasn't until the 17th century that clever English anglers realized they could attach a miniature version of this device to their wooden rods to manage long lines, revolutionizing the sport.
Word relationships
- spool: A 'spool' is the simple cylinder that holds the line, whereas a 'reel' is the entire mechanical assembly including gears, drag systems, and handles.
- wind: 'Wind' is the general action of wrapping a line, while 'reel' is the specific action of using a fishing reel.
- unwind: 'Unwind' is to let line out, whereas 'reel' is to pull it in.
Commonly confused with
- real: A homophone meaning genuine or true, completely unrelated to the fishing device.
Word family
- reeling (noun/adjective): The act of winding line; or staggering back in shock.
Collocations
- spinning reel
- fly reel
- reel in
- screaming reel
Idioms & expressions
- reel someone in
- reeling from a shock
Example sentences
- "The reel shrieked as the massive marlin stripped off yards of line in a desperate run." A dramatic moment during a battle with a large fish.
- "Do not try to reel when the fish is pulling hard; wait for it to tire, then pump the rod and wind the line." An instruction on how to bring a fish closer.
Memory hook
Imagine a wheel spinning around to REEL in a giant eel. Spin the wheel to reel the eel.
When not to use
Do not confuse 'reel' with 'real' (actual/true), which is a homophone but spelled differently.
Fun facts
- The earliest known depiction of a fishing reel comes from a 12th-century Chinese painting, showing that the technology existed in Asia long before it became popular in Europe.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.