# heel

/ˈhiɫ/ (US) · /hˈiːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heel
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. part of the foot

noun · CEFR B1

the back part of your foot, below the ankle.

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

- He had a painful blister on his heel after walking in new boots all day.
- The athlete suffered a minor tear in the tendon connecting the calf muscle to the heel bone, requiring several weeks of physical therapy.

### 2. part of a shoe

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. high-heeled shoes

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. end of a loaf of bread

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · British English · American English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. a bad person

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal · American English

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

For teachers: 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.

### 6. wrestling villain

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang

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

For teachers: 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.

### 7. to follow closely

verb · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used as an imperative command for dogs.

### 8. to tilt over

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The back of my heel is sore from these new shoes.
- She had to stop walking because the stiff leather of her new boots was rubbing against her heel.
- The cobbler explained that replacing the worn rubber on the heel would significantly extend the life of the expensive Italian loafers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.