unreel

verb

un·​reel ˌən-ˈrēl 

unreeled; unreeling; unreels

transitive verb

1

: to unwind from a reel

2

: to perform successfully

unreeled a 66-yard pass play

3

: reel off sense 2

unreeled five birdies in a row

intransitive verb

1

: to become unwound

2

: to be presented

the dress rehearsal unreeled flawlessly

Examples of unreel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The design was almost chic (a rare quality among garden hoses), and facilitates quick access and use (rather than having to slowly unreel a regular hose). —Rennie Dyball, Peoplemag, 28 June 2023

Astronomers enlist surrogate measures all the time, since there is no way to stick thermometers in stars or to unreel tape measures to other galaxies. —David H. Freedman, Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2010

This isn’t Donald Trump being belligerent to reporters, or Gavin Newsom unreeling state policy with wonkish ease. —John King, SFChronicle.com, 17 Apr. 2020

Anastasia breaks with Grey at the end of the first film, when his sadistic impulses unreel a bit too far for her taste, and the two reconcile in Fifty Shades Darker. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 9 Feb. 2018

Why Nora has returned now is soon made abundantly clear by Hnath, who cannily unreels one inventive and plausible surprise after another in a text as fast-moving as the original is deliberate. —Eric Marchese, Orange County Register, 17 Apr. 2017

A horizontal trailing wire antenna is unreeled out of the back, sort of like casting a fishing line. —Nathan Hodge, WIRED, 27 May 2010

Word History

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

unreel

verb

un·​reel ˌən-ˈrē(ə)l 

ˈən-

: to unwind from or as if from a reel