reel off

verb

reeled off; reeling off; reels off

transitive verb

1
: to tell or recite readily and usually at length
reel off a few jokes to break the ice
2
: to chalk up usually as a series

Examples of reel off in a Sentence

he's able to reel off the names of all the U.S. presidents, in historical order and without pausing her friend proceeded to reel off the roster of losers that she had dated over the years
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Harrell started the game completing two of his first five passes before reeling off 12 consecutive completions and keeping the 49ers’ offense afloat. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Sep. 2025 But Whiddett reels off a variety of reasons why a client of bespoke means might choose MTM, relating to both time and intention. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 6 Sep. 2025 The reeling off of mogul war stories during the nearly 90-minute program was matched by the crowd of about 150 people in the cozy confines of the Paley Center’s 10th-floor event space. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2025 Since breaking his maiden on the Jimmy Durante turf course at Del Mar on September 10, 2023, Formidable Man has reeled off five consecutive Stakes wins in his starts at the Seaside Oval. Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for reel off

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of reel off was in 1837

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Cite this Entry

“Reel off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reel%20off. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

reel off

verb
: to tell or recite rapidly and easily
reeled off the right answers

More from Merriam-Webster on reel off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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