# heels

/ˈhiɫz/ (US) · /hˈiːlz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/heels
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. part of the foot

noun · CEFR A2

the back part of your foot, below the ankle.

For teachers: the rounded posterior portion of the human foot, located below the ankle and behind the arch.

- The new boots were too tight and rubbed against my heels all day.
- After the long hike, he noticed several painful blisters forming on his heels where his socks had bunched up inside his boots.

### 2. part of a shoe

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- She took her shoes to the repair shop because the heels were worn down.
- The cobbler explained that the rubber heels on these dress shoes would need replacing every few months to maintain proper grip.

### 3. high-heeled shoes

noun · CEFR B1

shoes that have high heels, often worn for formal events.

For teachers: a type of footwear featuring significantly raised heels, typically worn in formal or fashion-conscious contexts.

- She found it difficult to walk quickly while wearing high heels.
- Although the invitation specified formal attire, she decided against wearing heels, opting instead for elegant flat shoes to ensure she could stand comfortably all evening.

Usage: Usually used in the plural when referring to the shoes themselves.

## Examples

- She bought a new pair of black high heels for the wedding.
- After walking across the city all afternoon, the back of my heels started to blister from the stiff leather.
- The cobbler explained that the heels of these boots are reinforced with steel to prevent uneven wear during heavy use on rocky terrain.

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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.