heel

The heel is the back part of your foot, the part that often hits the ground first when you walk. But it means more than just a body part. It can also mean the raised part of a shoe that gives height or support. As an insult, a "heel" is a cruel, selfish, or dishonest person. You may also see it as a verb: a dog "heels" when it walks close by its owner's side, and a sailing boat "heels" when it leans over in the wind. It is a flexible word that can describe your foot, your shoes, someone's character, or the movement of a boat.

The most common understanding of "heel" refers to the back part of the human foot, providing the leverage needed for walking and standing. In the world of fashion, the heel is the part of a shoe that supports the back of the foot; it can be flat, chunky, or a sharp stiletto. "She broke the heel off her favorite boot."

However, "heel" has a famous secondary meaning in slang: a "heel" is a contemptible, selfish, or untrustworthy person. This usage is especially common in professional wrestling, where the "heel" is the villain who uses dirty tactics to rile up the crowd. Conversely, as a command, to "heel" means to follow closely behind, a term most often used in dog training.

The word is also steeped in nautical history; a boat is said to "heel" when it leans to one side under wind pressure. You will also find "heel" in many common idioms. To "kick up your heels" is to celebrate and have fun, while to "cool your heels" means to be kept waiting. If someone looks "down at heel," they appear shabby or poorly cared for. Whether you are talking about anatomy, a "bad guy" in a story, or a ship on the high seas, the word "heel" offers a rich variety of meanings.