WordGarden.ioheel
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈiːl/
US
- /ˈhil/
Meanings
Noun
the back part of the foot
the raised or rear part of a shoe
a derogatory term for a contemptible or untrustworthy person
More meaningsFewer meanings
a villainous performer in professional wrestling
Verb
to walk close beside a handler, especially as a dog
to lean or tilt to one side, especially of a boat
Beyond the definition
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.
Examples
- 1
Body part
The back of my shoe is rubbing against my heel.
- 2
Footwear
One heel on his boot is worn down, so he needs a new pair.
- 3
Office clothing
She wore heels to the office but changed into sneakers for the walk home.
- 4
Quick departure
He turned on his heel and left without saying goodbye.
- Phraseturn on your heel
turn around quickly and leave
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Close pursuit
Reporters were right on the senator's heels as she came out of the building.
- Phraseright on someone's heels
very close behind them
- 6
Sequence
The resignation came on the heels of several weeks of public criticism.
- Phraseon the heels of
soon after
- 7
Refusal
When everyone disagreed with her, she dug in her heels and refused to compromise.
- Phrasedig in your heels
refuse to change your mind
- 8
Weakness
A lack of planning was the team's Achilles heel all season.
- PhraseAchilles heel
a person's or thing's main weakness
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- heelnounverb
Forms
- heelspluralnounverb
- heeledpast tenseverbnoun
- heeling-ing formverbnoun