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heal

verb
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\ ˈhēl How to pronounce heal (audio) \
healed; healing; heals

Definition of heal

transitive verb

1a : to make free from injury or disease : to make sound or whole heal a wound
b : to make well again : to restore to health heal the sick
2a : to cause (an undesirable condition) to be overcome : mend the troubles … had not been forgotten, but they had been healed— William Power
b : to patch up or correct (a breach or division) heal a breach between friends
3 : to restore to original purity or integrity healed of sin

intransitive verb

: to become free from injury or disease : to return to a sound state The cut has already healed.
Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about heal

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Examples of heal in a Sentence

You've got to give the injury time to heal. After the divorce, he needed some time to heal. The ointment will help heal the wound.
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Recent Examples on the Web The players, students and the win-loss stakes possess the power to heal. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: ‘Show Grandmas’ lean on Aztecs basketball for healing, hope," 26 Dec. 2020 The Washington Football Team has ruled starting quarterback Alex Smith out for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks as the 14-year veteran continues to heal from a calf strain that knocked him out of last week’s contest. — Mike Jones, USA TODAY, "Dwayne Haskins will get another shot as Washington Football Team's starting QB, subbing for Alex Smith on Sunday," 18 Dec. 2020 The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Check Out All the Big Announcements From Disney Investors Day," 11 Dec. 2020 Things turn sinister indeed when the boys find the still-beating heart of a dead god, an object that has the power not only to heal but to transform. — Meghan Cox Gurdon, WSJ, "The Best Books of 2020: Children’s Books," 10 Dec. 2020 Hopefully, the self-compassion that every person in recovery must come into in order to truly heal will eventually be mirrored by sensible, empathetic U.S. drug policy that doesn’t criminalize those who use drugs. — Emma Specter, Vogue, "Miley Cyrus Opens Up About Staying Sober—And Relapsing—During the Pandemic," 3 Dec. 2020 In the face of brokenness, gratitude has the power to heal. — Michael S. Hopkins, The Christian Science Monitor, "A Thanksgiving like no other: Finding uplift in a dark year," 25 Nov. 2020 The bye week gave the Browns a chance for bumps and bruises to heal. — Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, "Texans vs. Browns live stream (11/15): How to watch NFL Week 10 online, TV, time," 15 Nov. 2020 Jarvis Landry and Kareem Hunt also got a chance to heal some from their painful rib injuries during the bye. — Mary Kay Cabot, cleveland, "Nick Chubb, Myles Garrett, Wyatt Teller and others returning will provide a ‘big boost’ for the Browns in 2nd half," 10 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'heal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of heal

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

History and Etymology for heal

Middle English helen, from Old English hǣlan; akin to Old High German heilen to heal, Old English hāl whole — more at whole

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Learn More about heal

Time Traveler for heal

Time Traveler

The first known use of heal was before the 12th century

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Statistics for heal

Last Updated

13 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Heal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heal. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for heal

heal

verb
How to pronounce heal (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of heal

: to become healthy or well again
: to make (someone or something) healthy or well again

See the full definition for heal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

heal

verb
\ ˈhēl How to pronounce heal (audio) \
healed; healing

Kids Definition of heal

: to make or become healthy or well again The cut healed slowly.

Other Words from heal

healer noun

heal

transitive verb
\ ˈhē(ə)l How to pronounce heal (audio) \

Medical Definition of heal

1 : to make sound or whole especially in bodily condition
2 : to cure of disease or disorder heal injured tissues

intransitive verb

1 : to return to a sound state the wound heals
2 : to effect a cure

Other Words from heal

healer \ ˈhē-​lər How to pronounce heal (audio) \ noun

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More from Merriam-Webster on heal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for heal

Nglish: Translation of heal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of heal for Arabic Speakers

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