ENGLISH
REFERENCE

heels

n. countable
A2 Elementary US //ˈhiɫz// UK //hˈiːlz// heels

n. the back part of your foot below the ankle, or the part of a shoe that supports it. You also use this word to talk about shoes that make you look taller.

n. the rounded back part of the human foot below the ankle, or the corresponding part of a shoe or sock. Often used in the plural to refer to footwear with high raised supports.


SIMPLE

She bought a new pair of black high heels for the wedding.

CONTEXTUAL

After walking across the city all afternoon, the back of my heels started to blister from the stiff leather.

COMPLEX

The cobbler explained that the heels of these boots are reinforced with steel to prevent uneven wear during heavy use on rocky terrain.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used in the plural when referring to a type of shoe; often appears in the idiom 'at/on the heels of' to mean following closely.

Pitfall

she is wearing high heelshe is wearing high heelsWhen referring to the type of footwear, the plural form is required unless describing a single shoe.

Idioms11 entries

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