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heel

n. · v.
US //ˈhiɫ// UK //hˈiːl// heel
  1. 1 part of the foot (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Anatomy

    the back part of your foot, below the ankle.

    the posterior part of the human foot, situated below the ankle and behind the arch.

    Example

    He had a painful blister on his heel after walking in new boots all day.

    Example

    The athlete suffered a minor tear in the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone, requiring several weeks of physical therapy.
  2. 2 part of a shoe (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

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  1. 3 high-heeled shoes (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    She opted for elegant heels to match her evening gown, despite knowing the venue had gravel paths.
    • pumps
    • stilettos
  2. 4 end of a loaf of bread (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal British English American English Cooking

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    In many households, the heel of the bread is reserved for toasting, as its thickness provides a sturdier base for heavy toppings.
  3. 5 a bad person (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Informal American English

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

    a contemptible or unscrupulous person who lacks consideration for others.

    Example

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

    Example

    The protagonist's transformation from a reliable friend to a complete heel provided the central conflict of the second act.
  4. 6 wrestling villain (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Sport

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    Successful wrestling promotions rely on a charismatic heel to create high-stakes drama against the fan-favourite hero.
  5. 7 to follow closely (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

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

    Usage

    Often used as an imperative command for dogs.
  6. 8 to tilt over (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Nautical

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

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

    Example

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

    Example

    The yacht heeled over so far in the gale that the rails were nearly submerged in the churning sea.
Etymology 1

From Middle English hele, from Old English hēla, from Proto-West Germanic hą̄hilō, from Proto-Germanic hanhilaz, diminutive of Proto-Germanic *hanhaz (“heel, hock”), equivalent to hock + -le. More at hock. Compare North Frisian haiel, West Frisian hyl, Dutch hiel, German Low German Hiel, Danish and Norwegian hæl, Swedish häl.

Etymology 2

Probably inferred from hielded, the past tense of hield, from Middle English helden, heelden, from Old English hyldan, hieldan (“to incline”), cognate with Old Norse hella (“to pour out”) (whence Danish hælde (“lean, pour”)).

Etymology 3

See hele (“conceal, keep secret, cover”).

Idioms3 entries

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