heal

verb \ ˈhēl \

Updated on: 20 Apr 2018

Definition of heal

transitive verb

1 a : 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

2 a : 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.

See heal defined for English-language learners

See heal defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of heal from the Web

The benign, healing qualities that are typically attributed to plants also apply to anachronistic conceptions of womanhood.

— amandas ong, The Atlantic, "Why Pop Culture Links Women and Killer Plants," 17 Apr. 2018
Kathleen Hou, the Cut’s beauty director, has raved about these eye drops for years because of their cooling, soothing, red-eye-healing properties.

— ashley weatherford, The Cut, "Your Allergy Season Survival Guide," 11 Apr. 2018
Meanwhile, In Fiore’s face and body oil Fleur Vibrante Solution ($175) taps into the flower’s healing benefits.

— New York Times, "Light, Jasmine Scents That Are Perfect for Spring," 9 Apr. 2018
Spanish style, mixed with Buddhist influences and Southwest art, there was a healing quality about it.

— suli mccullough, The Hollywood Reporter, "Zen and the Art of the Jump Shot: What I Learned From Garry Shandling (Guest Column)," 24 Mar. 2018
My current relationship is a welcome, healing relief.

— carolyn hax, idahostatesman, "It’s a red flag if your boyfriend never admits fault | Idaho Statesman," 8 Mar. 2018
Nonetheless, Norman recognizes—and is consistently reminded—that preserving fertility supersedes healing pain.

— rachel vorona cote, The New Republic, "The Reality of Women’s Pain," 7 Mar. 2018
In our own fractious times, activists defending women’s rights can benefit from taking this historical lesson to heart: the struggle is long, solidarity sometimes cracks, but just as with a healing bone, a movement can emerge stronger for the split.

— elaine weiss, Time, "Women's Movements Are Facing Internal Divisions. History Shows That's Not Necessarily a Bad Thing," 6 Mar. 2018
Upstairs, Aiche has installed her favorite aesthetician, Cynthia Franco, in a large, airy suite overlooking the garden to administer healing body and skincare treatments.

— rachel marlowe, Vogue, "This Secret Beauty Destination Is Where Oscar Contenders Go Before the Red Carpet," 2 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of heal

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

heal Synonyms

Synonyms

cure, fix, mend, rehabilitate, set up;

Near Antonyms

cripple, damage, disable, harm, hurt, impair, injure, lacerate, lame, maim, mangle, mutilate, wound;

afflict, ail, debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, lay up, sap, sicken, waste, weaken;

fortify, rejuvenate, renew, resuscitate, revitalize, revive;

alleviate, relieve, remedy, repair;

HEAL Defined for English Language Learners

heal

verb

Definition of heal for English Language Learners

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

HEAL Defined for Kids

heal

verb \ ˈhēl \

Definition of heal for Students

healed; healing

: to make or become healthy or well again

The cut healed slowly.

—

healer

noun

Medical Dictionary

heal

transitive verb \ ˈhē(ə)l \

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

—

healer

play \ˈhē-lər\ noun

Learn More about heal

See words that rhyme with heal Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for heal Spanish Central: Translation of heal Nglish: Translation of heal for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of heal for Arabic speakers

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heal

Definition of heal

Examples of heal in a Sentence

Recent Examples of heal from the Web

Origin and Etymology of heal

heal Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to HEAL

Related Phrases

HEAL Defined for English Language Learners

heal

Definition of heal for English Language Learners

HEAL Defined for Kids

heal

Definition of heal for Students

healer

Medical Dictionary

heal

medical Definition of heal

healer

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