heel
heel Lexical Profile
heel Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The rounded back part of the human foot below the ankle and behind the arch.
"The runner developed a painful blister on his right heel during the marathon."
The raised part of the undersurface of a shoe or boot that supports the back of the foot, or (in plural) women's shoes with high supporting blocks.
"She decided to wear comfortable flats to the conference instead of high heels."
The crusty end piece of a loaf of bread, or the rind of a cheese.
"He toasted the heel of the sourdough loaf to eat with his soup."
An inconsiderate, untrustworthy, or contemptible person; in professional wrestling, a performer who portrays a villainous character.
"In classic detective novels, the charming suspect often turns out to be a total heel."
• verb
To follow closely behind a person's feet at a controlled pace (of a trained dog).
"The obedience trainer taught the young shepherd to heel calmly on a loose leash."
To tilt or lean temporarily to one side under the pressure of wind or waves (of a boat or ship).
"The sailboat began to heel sharply to port as the afternoon gale intensified."
To fit or renew the back undersurface of a shoe or boot.
"The cobbler promised to sole and heel the leather boots before Friday."
To strike a ball with the back part of the foot or the inner shaft end of a golf club.
"The midfielder managed to heel the ball backward to an open teammate."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with the homophone 'heal' (to restore to health) and the contraction 'he'll' (he will). Note that the maritime sense of 'heel' (to tilt or lean to one side) is etymologically distinct from the anatomical noun.
• Rhymes for heel
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The anatomical noun derives from Old English 'hela', of Proto-Germanic origin and related to Old Norse 'hæll'. The nautical verb meaning 'to tilt' stems from an alteration of obsolete 'hield', from Old English 'hieldan' (to incline or slope).