Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Virginia reel

noun

Definition of Virginia reel

: an American dance in which two lines of couples face each other and all couples in turn dance in a series of figures

See Virginia reel defined for English-language learners

See Virginia reel defined for kids

First Known Use of virginia reel

1817

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

VIRGINIA REEL Defined for English Language Learners

Virginia reel

noun

Definition of Virginia reel for English Language Learners

  • : a traditional American dance in which two lines of people face each other and take turns doing a series of movements with the person they are facing

Learn More about virginia reel

  1. See words that rhyme with Virginia reel

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up Virginia reel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

thwart

play

to oppose successfully

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Virginia reel

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Bee Cubed

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games