heel

1 of 4

noun (1)

1
a
: the back of the human foot below the ankle and behind the arch
b
: the part of the hind limb of other vertebrates that is similar in structure to the human heel
nipping at the cow's heels
2
: an anatomical structure suggestive of the human heel
especially : the part of the palm of the hand nearest the wrist
rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands Warren Eyster
3
: one of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread
4
a
: the part (as of a shoe) that covers the human heel
b
: a solid attachment of a shoe or boot forming the back of the sole under the heel of the foot
squashed the bug with his boot heel
5
: a rear, low, or bottom part: such as
a
: the after end of a ship's keel or the lower end of a mast
b
: the base of a tuber or cutting of a plant used for propagation of the plant
c
: the base of a ladder
6
a
: a contemptible person : a person who is self-centered or untrustworthy
felt like a heel
a few heels who appear to get away with itFrank Case
b
professional wrestling : a wrestler who performs the role of the unsympathetic antagonist or adversary in a staged wrestling match
In the traditional morality plays of professional wrestling, grapplers divided into good guys, or "baby faces," and black-hatted "heels."John Leland
compare baby face sense 2
heelless adjective

heel

2 of 4

verb (1)

heeled; heeling; heels

transitive verb

1
a
: to furnish (a boot, a shoe, etc.) with a solid attachment forming the part of the sole that is under the back of the foot : to attach a heel (see heel entry 1 sense 4b) to
b
: to supply especially with money or information
better heeled but still not flush
I want to be heeled when they book himR. P. Warren
2
a
: to exert pressure on, propel, or strike (someone or something) with the back part of the foot
heeled her horse
b
: to urge (a lagging animal) by following closely or by nipping at the heels
dogs heeling cattle

intransitive verb

: to move along near the back of someone's feet : to stay at someone's heels
taught the dog to heel

heel

3 of 4

verb (2)

heeled; heeling; heels

intransitive verb

: to lean to one side : tip
especially, of a boat or ship : to lean temporarily (as from the action of wind or waves)
kept heeling to the left
compare list entry 3

transitive verb

: to cause (a boat) to lean to one side
heeling the sloop well over and skimming her along to windwardK. M. Dodson

heel

4 of 4

noun (2)

: a tilt (as of a boat) to one side
also : the extent of such a tilt
a heel of six degrees to starboard
Phrases
by the heels
: in a tight grip
had the enemy by the heels
down at heel or down at the heel
: in or into a run-down or shabby condition
His slippers were down at the heel.
on the heels of
: immediately following
came close on the heels of the announcement
to heel
1
: close behind
called the dog to heel
2
: into agreement or line
reluctantly came to heel
help to bring inflation to heel
under heel
: under control or subjection
They kept us under heel.

Examples of heel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
An Omega watch and black suede heeled Christian Louboutin Chelsea boots completed his look. Jackie Fields, Peoplemag, 25 Feb. 2024 The Grammy nominee also matched her bright red lipstick to a pair of cherry red crocodile print platform heels for her big night at Los Angeles's Crypto.com Arena. Hanna Lustig, Glamour, 5 Feb. 2024 After more than two months of picketing, the WGA writers were joined by SAG-AFTRA actors in striking against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), bringing Hollywood to heel. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 18 Sep. 2023 They’re unfortunately heeled by the resourcefulness of their latest victim, a Twin Peaks-era Madchen Amick (who’s assisted by a police officer’s tenacious cat, Clovis). Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 14 Feb. 2024 If her wrist heels quickly, Sorvino should be able to continue pursuing her DWTS happily-ever-after. EW.com, 17 Oct. 2023 Brex heeled Chelsea boots that add a fresh pop of color to any outfit but are still sturdy enough to trudge through the snow. Nneya Richards, Travel + Leisure, 30 Dec. 2023 After Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, Putin tried to bring his intelligence forces to heel by sending several middle-rank officers to jail on corruption charges. Andrei Soldatov, Foreign Affairs, 27 Dec. 2023 Ron DeSantis, the wooden and sober ideologue, dodging specific questions to convey his general vision of a culture brought totally to heel, literacy corralled, genders controlled. Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 8 Dec. 2023
Noun
Lennon’s deal comes on the heels of Force starting production on its third season. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 The tech and biotech layoffs arrive on the heels of an EDD jobs report that showed the tech industry suffered net job losses in January. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 The honor followed on the heels of her BAFTA win for Yorgos Lanthimos’ puckish spin on the costume drama, in which Stone plays a woman who finds liberation and self-actualization after being brought back to life by an eccentric surgeon. Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Bonus points, too, for their shoes, which featured terrifying claws on the heels. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024 The weekend's cold, wet weather comes on the heels of several record-setting hot, sunny days in southeast Michigan. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 10 Mar. 2024 Style it with classic white sneakers for a casual day out or dress it up with a pair of your favorite heels and bold accessories for a dinner look. Rachel Simon, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2024 The closet staple requires much less thought while styling and is still versatile enough to wear with your favorite pair of heels or a comfy sneaker. Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 8 Mar. 2024 The news of the Hyde Park concert fittingly comes on the heels of Wallen’s recent surprise release, the Abbey Road Sessions. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1) and Verb (1)

Middle English, from Old English hēla; akin to Old Norse hæll heel, Old English hōh — more at hock

Verb (2) and Noun (2)

alteration of Middle English heelden, from Old English hieldan; akin to Old High German hald inclined, Lithuanian šalis side, region

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Verb (1)

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Verb (2)

circa 1575, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (2)

1622, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heel was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near heel

Cite this Entry

“Heel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

heel

1 of 4 noun
1
a
: the back part of the human foot behind the arch and below the ankle
also : the corresponding part of a lower vertebrate
b
: the part of the palm of the hand nearest the wrist
2
: a part (as of a shoe) that covers or supports the human heel
3
: a lower, back, or end part
especially : one of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread
4
: a despicable person
heelless adjective

heel

2 of 4 verb
: to provide with a heel
heeler
ˈhē-lər
noun

heel

3 of 4 verb
: to tilt to one side : tip

heel

4 of 4 noun
: a tilt to one side
Etymology

Noun

Old English hēla "back part of the foot"

Verb

Old English hieldan "to lean to one side"

Medical Definition

heel

noun
1
a
: the back of the human foot below the ankle and behind the arch
b
: the back of the hind limb of other vertebrates homologous with the human heel
2
: an anatomical structure suggestive of the human heel: as
a
: the hind part of a hoof
b
: either of the projections of a coffin bone
c
: the part of the palm of the hand nearest the wrist

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