heel

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. the raised part on the bottom of a shoe that supports the back of your foot.

n. the part of a shoe or boot that supports the heel, varying in height and thickness.

“She broke the heel of her shoe while walking across the uneven pavement.”

“The cobbler suggested replacing the rubber on the heel to provide better traction during the winter months.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Plural noun

n. shoes that have high heels, usually worn by women for formal events.

n. a type of footwear featuring significantly raised heels; usually plural in this sense.

“It is difficult to dance for hours when you are wearing high heels.”

“She opted for elegant heels to match her evening gown, despite knowing the venue had gravel paths.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Cooking Informal · British English · American English

n. the last piece or the crusty end of a loaf of bread.

n. the crusty end-piece of a loaf of bread; usage varies by region.

“Nobody wanted the heel of the loaf, so we used it to make breadcrumbs.”

“In many households, the heel of the bread is reserved for toasting, as its thickness provides a sturdier base for heavy toppings.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Informal · American English

n. a person who is dishonest, mean, or treats others badly.

n. a contemptible or unscrupulous person who lacks consideration for others.

“He felt like a total heel after forgetting his best friend's wedding.”

“The protagonist's transformation from a reliable friend to a complete heel provided the central conflict of the second act.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Sports Slang

n. the 'bad guy' in professional wrestling who the crowd is supposed to dislike.

n. a professional wrestler who portrays a villainous character to provoke negative reactions from the audience.

“The crowd booed loudly when the heel entered the ring and insulted the local team.”

“Successful wrestling promotions rely on a charismatic heel to create high-stakes drama against the fan-favourite hero.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to stay close behind someone's feet, usually said of a dog.

v. to follow closely at the heels of a person; often used as a command in canine obedience.

“The dog was trained to heel whenever they walked through a busy crowd.”

“The trainer demonstrated how to make the puppy heel without the use of a restrictive leash.”

C1 · Advanced Nautical Technical

v. to lean or tilt to one side, especially a ship in the wind.

v. to tip or incline to one side from a vertical position, typically due to wind or water pressure.

“The small boat began to heel sharply as the wind picked up speed.”

“The yacht heeled over so far in the gale that the rails were nearly submerged in the churning sea.”