1 B2 neutral
To unwind or let out a length of cable, wire, rope, or tape from a reel
"The technicians slowly spooled out the fibre-optic cable from the drum."
separable
spool out
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To unwind or extend gradually from a spool, or (figuratively) for a story or situation to unfold
In plain English
To let something gradually unwind or extend, like thread coming off a reel; or for a story to develop slowly
What does "spool out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic neutral
Of a story, film, or sequence of events, to unfold gradually over time
"The film's plot spools out slowly, revealing new mysteries with each scene."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To let something unwind outward from a spool — fully transparent in literal sense
Actually means
To let something gradually unwind or extend, like thread coming off a reel; or for a story to develop slowly
Usage tip
Used literally of cable, wire, rope, or tape unwinding from a reel. Figuratively, used in literary or journalistic writing to describe a narrative unfolding over time. The figurative use requires some language awareness (B2+). Common in technical and creative writing contexts.
Words that pair with "spool out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
cable wire rope narrative story film
How to conjugate "spool out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
spool out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
spools out
he/she/it
Past simple
spooled out
yesterday
Past participle
spooled out
have + pp
-ing form
spooling out
continuous
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