Reel vs. Real — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 12, 2023
"Reel" refers to a spool or a dance, while "Real" denotes authenticity or genuine quality.
Difference Between Reel and Real
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Reel" primarily denotes a cylindrical device around which something can be wound. For example, a film reel carries film to be played in theaters. On the other hand, "Real" pertains to something that exists or happens as a matter of fact, something that's not imagined or fictional.
In another context, "Reel" can also signify a lively Scottish or Irish dance. Picture dancers spinning and twirling to fast-paced music. In contrast, "Real" is used to emphasize the genuine nature or the true existence of something. For instance, a real diamond is one that's not synthetic or artificial.
"Reel" has another meaning in the context of feeling dizzy or being thrown off balance, as in "to reel from shock". Conversely, "Real" when used as a noun in economics, pertains to adjusted values, like real income, which takes inflation into account.
When someone is "reeling in a fish," they are using a reel to wind in the line and catch the fish. In contrast, "Real" is also a term to contrast with fictional, imaginary, or idealized scenarios, as in "the real world".
Finally, both "Reel" and "Real" can be used in metaphorical contexts. One might "reel from a revelation," while grappling with "real emotions" about it.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Adjective, Noun
Main Definition
A spool or dance
Genuine, Existing as fact
Example Sentence
He danced the reel with enthusiasm.
It's a real diamond.
Contextual Usage
Feeling dizzy or off-balance
Pertaining to adjusted values
Emotional Connotation
Feeling of spinning or disorientation
Authenticity, truthfulness
Compare with Definitions
Reel
A cylindrical device for winding.
She loaded the film onto the reel.
Real
Existing as fact.
Dragons are not real.
Reel
A spool which fishing line is wound.
He used a reel to catch the big fish.
Real
Not imaginary or idealized.
He needs to face the real world.
Reel
A reel is an object around which a length of another material (usually long and flexible) is wound for storage. Generally a reel has a cylindrical core and walls on the sides to retain the material wound around the core.
Real
Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed
Julius Caesar was a real person
Her many illnesses, real and imaginary
Reel
A device, such as a cylinder, spool, or frame, that turns on an axis and is used for winding and storing rope, tape, film, or other flexible materials.
Real
(of a thing) not imitation or artificial; genuine
The earring was presumably real gold
Reel
A cylindrical device attached to a fishing rod to let out or wind up the line.
Real
Complete; utter (used for emphasis)
The tour turned out to be a real disaster
Reel
The quantity of wire, film, or other material wound on one reel.
Real
Adjusted for changes in the value of money; assessed by purchasing power
Real incomes had fallen by 30 per cent
An increase in real terms of 11.6 per cent
Reel
A set of curved lawnmower blades that rotate around a bar parallel to the ground, cutting grass while moving against a stationary straight blade.
Real
(of a number or quantity) having no imaginary part.
Reel
A staggering, swaying, or whirling movement.
Real
(of an image) of a kind in which the light that forms it actually passes through it; not virtual.
Reel
A moderately fast dance of Scottish origin.
Real
Really; very
My head hurts real bad
Reel
The Virginia reel.
Real
The basic monetary unit of Brazil since 1994, equal to 100 centavos.
Reel
The music for one of these dances.
Real
Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verifiable existence
Real objects.
A real illness.
Reel
A handheld hammer used in a quarry for shaping granite blocks.
Real
True and actual; not imaginary, alleged, or ideal
Real people, not ghosts.
A film based on real life.
Reel
To wind on or let out from a reel.
Real
Of or founded on practical matters and concerns
A recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time.
Reel
To recover by winding on a reel
Reel in a large fish.
Real
Genuine and authentic; not artificial or spurious
Real mink.
Real humility.
Reel
To be thrown off balance or fall back
Reeled from the sharp blow.
Real
Being no less than what is stated; worthy of the name
A real friend.
Reel
To stagger, lurch, or sway, as from drunkenness
Reeled down the alley.
Real
Free of pretense, falsehood, or affectation
Tourists hoping for a real experience on the guided tour.
Reel
To go round and round in a whirling motion
Gulls reeling and diving.
Real
Not to be taken lightly; serious
In real trouble.
Reel
To feel dizzy
My head reeled with the facts and figures.
Real
(Philosophy) Existing objectively in the world regardless of subjectivity or conventions of thought or language.
Reel
To cause to reel.
Real
Relating to, being, or having value reckoned by actual purchasing power
Real income.
Real growth.
Reel
A shaky or unsteady gait.
Real
(Physics) Of, relating to, or being an image formed by light rays that converge in space.
Reel
A lively dance originating in Scotland; also, the music of this dance; often called a Scottish (or Scotch) reel.
Real
(Mathematics) Of, relating to, or being a real number.
Reel
A kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are wound.
A log reel, used by seamen
An angler's reel
A garden reel
Nudge the fruit machine reel
Real
(Law) Of or relating to stationary or fixed property, such as buildings or land.
Reel
(agriculture) A device consisting of radial arms with horizontal stats, connected with a harvesting machine, for holding the stalks of grain in position to be cut by the knives.
Real
Very
I'm real sorry about that.
Reel
(film) A short compilation of sample film work used as a demonstrative resume in the entertainment industry.
Real
A thing or whole having actual existence. Often used with the
Theories beyond the realm of the real.
Reel
To wind on a reel.
Real
(Mathematics) A real number.
Reel
To spin or revolve repeatedly.
Real
A silver coin formerly used in Spain and Latin America.
Reel
To unwind, to bring or acquire something by spinning or winding something else.
He reeled off some tape from the roll and sealed the package.
Real
A unit of currency formerly used in Portugal.
Reel
To walk shakily or unsteadily; to stagger; move as if drunk or not in control of oneself.
Real
See Table at currency.
Reel
To back off, step away, or sway backwards unsteadily and suddenly.
He reeled back from the punch.
Real
True, genuine, not merely nominal or apparent.
Reel
To make or cause to reel.
Real
Genuine, not artificial, counterfeit, or fake.
This is real leather.
Reel
To have a whirling sensation; to be giddy.
Real
Genuine, unfeigned, sincere.
These are real tears!
Reel
To be in shock.
Real
Actually being, existing, or occurring; not fictitious or imaginary.
A description of real life
Reel
To produce a mechanical insect-like song, as in grass warblers.
Real
That has objective, physical existence.
No one has ever seen a real unicorn.
Reel
(obsolete) To roll.
Real
(economics) Having been adjusted to remove the effects of inflation; measured in purchasing power contrast nominal.
My dad calculated my family's real consumption per month.
What is the real GNP of this polity?
Reel
A lively dance of the Highlanders of Scotland; also, the music to the dance; - often called Scotch reel.
Real
(economics) Relating to the result of the actions of rational agents; relating to neoclassical economic models as opposed to Keynesian models.
Reel
A frame with radial arms, or a kind of spool, turning on an axis, on which yarn, threads, lines, or the like, are wound; as, a log reel, used by seamen; an angler's reel; a garden reel.
Real
Being either a rational number, or the limit of a convergent infinite sequence of rational numbers: being one of a set of numbers with a one-to-one correspondence to the points on a line.
Reel
A machine on which yarn is wound and measured into lays and hanks, - for cotton or linen it is fifty-four inches in circuit; for worsted, thirty inches.
Real
(legal) Relating to immovable tangible property.
Real estate;
Real property
Reel
A device consisting of radial arms with horizontal stats, connected with a harvesting machine, for holding the stalks of grain in position to be cut by the knives.
Real
Absolute, complete, utter.
This is a real problem.
Reel
The act or motion of reeling or staggering; as, a drunken reel.
Real
(slang) Signifying meritorious qualities or actions especially as regard the enjoyment of life, prowess at sports, or success wooing potential partners.
I'm keeping it real.
Reel
To roll.
And Sisyphus an huge round stone did reel.
Real
Really, very.
When I told him the truth, he got real mad.
Reel
To wind upon a reel, as yarn or thread.
Real
A commodity; see realty.
Reel
To incline, in walking, from one side to the other; to stagger.
They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man.
He, with heavy fumes oppressed,Reeled from the palace, and retired to rest.
The wagons reeling under the yellow sheaves.
Real
(grammar) One of the three genders that the common gender can be separated into in the Scandinavian languages.
Reel
To have a whirling sensation; to be giddy.
In these lengthened vigils his brain often reeled.
Real
(mathematics) A real number.
Reel
A roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
Real
(obsolete) A realist.
Reel
Music composed for dancing a reel
Real
Former unit of currency of Spain and Spain's colonies.
Reel
Winder consisting of a revolving spool with a handle; attached to a fishing rod
Real
A coin worth one real.
Reel
A winder around which thread or tape or film or other flexible materials can be wound
Real
A unit of currency used in Portugal and its colonies from 1430 until 1911, and in Brazil from 1790 until 1942.
Reel
A lively dance of Scottish highlanders; marked by circular moves and gliding steps
Real
A coin worth one real.
Reel
An American country dance which starts with the couples facing each other in two lines
Real
A unit of currency used in Brazil since 1994. Symbol: R$.
Reel
Walk as if unable to control one's movements;
The drunken man staggered into the room
Real
A coin worth one real.
Reel
Revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis;
The dervishes whirl around and around without getting dizzy
Real
A former small Spanish silver coin; also, a denomination of money of account, formerly the unit of the Spanish monetary system.
Reel
Wind onto or off a reel
Real
A realist.
Reel
A lively dance of Scottish or Irish origin.
They danced the reel at the party.
Real
Royal; regal; kingly.
Reel
To be thrown off balance or feel dizzy.
She reeled from the shocking news.
Real
Actually being or existing; not fictitious or imaginary; as, a description of real life.
Whereat I waked, and foundBefore mine eyes all real, as the dreamHad lively shadowed.
Reel
To pull in by turning a reel.
He reeled in a huge fish during the trip.
Real
True; genuine; not artificial, counterfeit, or factitious; often opposed to ostensible; as, the real reason; real Madeira wine; real ginger.
Whose perfection far excelledHers in all real dignity.
Real
Relating to things, not to persons.
Many are perfect in men's humors that are not greatly capable of the real part of business.
Real
Having an assignable arithmetical or numerical value or meaning; not imaginary.
Real
Pertaining to things fixed, permanent, or immovable, as to lands and tenements; as, real property, in distinction from personal or movable property.
For he that but conceives a crime in thought,Contracts the danger of an actual fault.
Our simple ideas are all real; all agree to the reality of things.
Real
Any rational or irrational number
Real
An old small silver Spanish coin
Real
Being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory;
Real objects
Real people; not ghosts
A film based on real life
A real illness
Real humility
Life is real! Life is earnest!
Real
No less than what is stated; worthy of the name;
The real reason
Real war
A real friend
A real woman
Meat and potatoes--I call that a real meal
It's time he had a real job
It's no penny-ante job--he's making real money
Real
Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something;
Her actual motive
A literal solitude like a desert
A genuine dilemma
Real
Not synthetic or spurious; of real or natural origin;
Real mink
True gold
Real
Not to be taken lightly;
Statistics demonstrate that poverty and unemployment are very real problems
To the man sleeping regularly in doorways homelessness is real
Real
Possible to be treated as fact;
Tangible evidence
His brief time as Prime Minister brought few real benefits to the poor
Real
Being value measured in terms of purchasing power;
Real prices
Real income
Real wages
Real
Having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary;
The substantial world
A mere dream, neither substantial nor practical
Most ponderous and substantial things
Real
(of property) fixed or immovable;
Real property consists of land and buildings; real estate
Real
Coinciding with reality;
Perceptual error...has a surprising resemblance to veridical perception
Real
Founded on practical matters;
A recent graduate experiencing the real world for the first time
Real
Used as intensifiers; `real' is sometimes used informally for `really'; `rattling' is informal;
She was very gifted
He played very well
A really enjoyable evening
I'm real sorry about it
A rattling good yarn
Real
Authentic or genuine.
The real gold was found after sifting through the fakes.
Real
Adjusted for inflation (in economics).
The real income has been decreasing over the years.
Real
Genuine in terms of quality or nature.
Her concern was real and heartfelt.
Common Curiosities
Is "Real" only an adjective?
No, it can also be a noun, especially in economic contexts.
What does "Reel" primarily denote?
It denotes a spool or a lively dance.
How is "Reel" used in fishing?
It refers to a device used to wind fishing line.
What does "Real" usually refer to?
It refers to something genuine, authentic, or existing as a matter of fact.
Can "Real" be used in a context of emotions?
Yes, indicating genuine emotions, like "real sadness".
How can "Reel" be related to movies?
Movies are often stored on film reels.
How is "Real" used in economics?
As a noun, it refers to values adjusted for factors like inflation.
Can "Reel" also mean feeling dizzy?
Yes, it can mean feeling dizzy or off-balance.
How do I remember the difference between "Reel" and "Real"?
Think of "Reel" as winding or dancing and "Real" as genuine or factual.
What dance is associated with "Reel"?
A lively dance, especially of Scottish or Irish origin.
Are "Reel" and "Real" homophones?
Yes, they sound the same but have different meanings.
Can "Reel" mean to pull something?
Yes, like "reeling in a fish".
Is "Reel" always a physical object?
No, it can be a verb or denote feelings of dizziness.
Can "Real" emphasize the truth of a statement?
Yes, as in "the real reason".
What's the antonym of "Real"?
Fictional, imaginary, or fake.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
