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heal

B1
verb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /hˈiːl/

US

  • /ˈhil/

Description

To heal means to become healthy again after an injury, an illness, or emotional pain. It is not only about cuts and broken bones. Feelings can heal too. A scraped knee may need time and care, and a sad heart may slowly get better with support, rest, and understanding. You might say a doctor helps people heal, or that time, peace, and kindness can be healing. It often takes a while, but it moves someone or something back toward wholeness.

Examples

  1. 1

    Physical injury

    The cut on his hand took two weeks to heal.

  2. 2

    Recovery process

    Her ankle is healing slowly after the fall.

  3. 3

    Skin care

    This cream can help heal dry, cracked skin.

  4. 4

    Emotional loss

    It took him a long time to heal from the loss of his father.

    • Pattern

      heal from + loss/pain

      recover emotionally after it

  5. 5

    Divorce recovery

    She moved to a quieter place to heal after the divorce.

  6. 6

    Community recovery

    The town is still healing after the wildfire.

  7. 7

    Public scandal

    Both sides will need time to heal the damage caused by the scandal.

    • Pattern

      heal + damage/relationship

      make a painful situation or relationship better

Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • healverb

Forms

  • healing-ing formverb
  • healedpast tenseverb
  • healsverb