What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reel
Example
He caught a big fish and had to reel it in. [reel: verb]
Example
The movie was on a reel of film. [reel: noun]
spool
Example
She wound the thread onto the spool. [spool: noun]
Example
He spooled the wire onto the reel. [spooled: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Spool is less common than reel in everyday language. Reel is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while spool is more specific and often used in technical or industrial settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reel and spool?
Both reel and spool are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
