Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » heel

heel

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of a heel is the part of the foot on the opposite end from the toes, under the ankle, or the part of a shoe that supports the heel.

(noun)

An example of a heel is the back part of the foot.
An example of a heel is the part of the shoe that flamenco dancers hit against the floor to keep rhythm.

The heel is defined as the outside bottom of a shoe, opposite of where the toes would be inside of the shoe.

(noun)

An example of a heel is the part of a shoe that can be made thicker to make a person appear taller.

See heel in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

the back part of the human foot, under the ankle and behind the instep
the corresponding part of the hind foot of an animal
1. the part of a stocking, shoe, etc. that covers the heel
2. the built-up part of a shoe or boot supporting the heel
3. women's low-cut shoes with medium to high heels
crushing oppressive or tyrannical power: under the heel of fascism
anything suggesting the human heel in location, shape, or function, as the end of a loaf of bread, a rind end of cheese, the part of the palm of the hand nearest the wrist, the part of the head of a golf club nearest the shaft, the lower end of a ship's mast, or a small quantity of liquor left in a bottle
☆ Informal a despicable or unscrupulous person; cad

Origin: ME hele < OE hela, akin to Du hiel < Gmc *hanhila < *hanha < IE base *kenk-, leg joint, heel

transitive verb

to furnish with a heel
to follow closely at the rear of
to touch, press, or drive forward with or as with the heel
to equip (a gamecock) with metal spurs
☆ Informal
1. to provide (a person) with money: usually in the passive
2. to equip or arm (oneself)
Golf to hit (a ball) with the heel of the club

intransitive verb

to follow along at the heels of someone: to teach a dog to heel
to move the heels rhythmically in dancing

Related Forms:

heelless adjective

intransitive verb

to lean or tilt to one side, as a ship or boat in a high wind

Origin: with assimilated -d < ME helden < OE hieldan (*healdjan), to incline, slope < base of heald, sloping, bent < IE base *el-, to incline > (via *lei-) L -clinare, incline

transitive verb

to cause (a vessel) to heel

noun

the act of heeling
the extent of this

See heel in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The rounded posterior portion of the human foot under and behind the ankle.
b. The corresponding part of the hind foot of other vertebrates.
c. A similar anatomical part, such as the fleshy rounded base of the human palm or the hind toe of a bird.
a. The part, as of a sock, shoe, or stocking, that covers the rounded posterior portion of the human foot.
b. The built-up portion of a shoe or boot, supporting the heel.
One of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread.
The lower or rearward part, as:
a. The part of the head of a golf club where it joins the shaft.
b. The end of a violin bow where the handle is located.
Nautical
a. The lower end of a mast.
b. The after end of a ship's keel.
Botany The basal end of a plant cutting or tuber used in propagation.
Oppression; tyranny: under the heel of Stalinism; the heel of an autocrat.
Informal A dishonorable man; a cad.

verb heeled, heel·ing, heels

verb, transitive

a. To furnish with a heel or heels.
b. To repair or replace the heels, as for shoes.
Slang To furnish, especially with money.
To arm (a gamecock) with gaffs.
To press or strike with the heel: heel a horse.

verb, intransitive

To follow at one's heels: The dog won't heel.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English hēla

intr. & tr.v. heeled, heel·ing, heels

To tilt or cause to tilt to one side.

noun

A tilt, as of a boat, to one side.

Origin:

Origin: Alteration of Middle English helden

Origin: , from Old English hieldan