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heel
1[heel]
noun
the back part of the human foot, below and behind the ankle.
I got blisters on my heels from these boots.
the back part of the foot of any of various vertebrates.
Usually heels the hind feet or hooves of some animals, such as the horse.
the foot as a whole.
He was hung by the heels.
the part of a sock, shoe, or the like covering the back part of the wearer's foot.
Too bad I don’t know how to darn—the heel of this sock has developed a rather large hole.
a solid, raised base or support of leather, wood, rubber, etc., attached to the sole of a shoe or boot under the back part of the foot.
Do you carry a similar boot with a lower heel?
heels, women’s low-cut shoes with thin or thick heels of medium or high height.
I don’t wear heels anymore unless it’s a wedding or a fancy night out.
something resembling the back part of the human foot in position, shape, etc..
All that remained of the loaf was the crusty heel.
the rear of the palm, adjacent to the wrist.
To perform CPR on an adult, begin by placing the heel of your hand on the center of the person’s chest.
the latter or concluding part of something, especially a meeting.
The 40-page bill was brought in at the heel of the legislative session, and it passed without sufficient consideration.
the lower end of any of various more or less vertical objects, as rafters, spars, or the sternposts of vessels.
Nautical.
the after end of a keel.
the inner end of a bowsprit or jib boom.
the crook in the head of a golf club.
Building Trades.the exterior angle of an angle iron.
Railroads.the end of a frog farthest from a switch.
Horticulture.the base of any part, as of a cutting or tuber, that is removed from a plant for use in the propagation of that plant.
verb (used without object)
(of a dog) to follow at one's heels on command.
I’ve taught my dog to sit, but can’t get him to heel yet.
to use the heels, as in dancing.
Concentrating on our movement, we heel, toe, and swing, our hands gently clasped.
verb (used with object)
to follow at the heels of; chase closely.
His mare followed close behind him, like a well-trained hunting dog heeling its master.
to furnish with heels, as shoes.
As a youth in his family’s cobbler shop in Manhattan, he heeled the shoes of many a movie star before they were stars.
to kick or strike with the back part of the foot.
The forward heeled the ball into the path of his teammate, who kicked it into the net.
to perform (a dance) with the heels.
Golf.to strike (the ball) with the heel of the club.
to arm (a gamecock) with spurs.
verb phrase
to cover temporarily (the roots and most of the stem of a plant) with soil prior to permanent planting.
If you can’t plant them right away, you can dig a trench and heel in the seedlings, setting them close together and covering the roots with soil or moist mulch.
heel
2[heel]
heel
3[heel]
noun
a contemptibly dishonorable or irresponsible person.
We all feel like heels for ducking out on you like this.
Professional Wrestling.a headlining wrestler who plays a villainous role and typically loses matches to the wrestler playing a heroic character.
heel
1/ ː /
noun
the back part of the human foot from the instep to the lower part of the ankle Compare calcaneus
the corresponding part in other vertebrates
the part of a shoe, stocking, etc, designed to fit the heel
the outer part of a shoe underneath the heel
the part of the palm of a glove nearest the wrist
the lower, end, or back section of something
the heel of a loaf
horticulture the small part of the parent plant that remains attached to a young shoot cut for propagation and that ensures more successful rooting
nautical
the bottom of a mast
the after end of a ship's keel
the back part of a golf club head where it bends to join the shaft
rugby possession of the ball as obtained from a scrum (esp in the phrase get the heel )
slanga contemptible person
just behind or following closely
See dig in
shabby or worn
slovenly or careless
to wait or be kept waiting
to astonish or be astonished
to run off
to run off
disciplined or under control, as a dog walking by a person's heel
verb
(tr) to repair or replace the heel of (shoes, boots, etc)
to perform (a dance) with the heels
(tr) golf to strike (the ball) with the heel of the club
rugby to kick (the ball) backwards using the sole and heel of the boot
to follow at the heels of (a person)
(tr) to arm (a gamecock) with spurs
(tr) (of a cattle dog) to drive (cattle) by biting their heels
heel
2/ ː /
verb
(of a vessel) to lean over; list
noun
inclined position from the vertical
the boat is at ten degrees of heel
Other Word Forms
- heelless adjective
- ˈ adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of heel1
Origin of heel2
Origin of heel3
Word History and Origins
Origin of heel1
Origin of heel2
Idioms and Phrases
lay by the heels,
to arrest and imprison.
to prevail over; render ineffectual.
Superior forces laid the invaders by the heels.
at one's heels, close behind one.
The police are at his heels.
down at the heels, having a shabby, slovenly, or rundown appearance, especially because of lack of resources: Also down at heel, down at the heel, out at heels, out at the heels
This town, once a thriving manufacturing hub, has been down at the heels for quite some time.
at heel, close behind, especially as an animal behind a person leading it: null to heel
The dog would sit, stay, come, and lie down on command, and would walk at heel with or without a leash.
She walked out as soon as the gate opened, and the dog followed her to heel without a backward look.
take to one's heels, to run away; take flight.
The thief took to his heels as soon as he saw the police.
heels over head. head.
bring to heel, to get control over; force to submit.
The authorities deployed the army to bring the rebels to heel.
on / upon the heels of, closely following; in quick succession of.
On the heels of the hurricane came an outbreak of looting.
kick up one's heels, to have a vigorously entertaining time; frolic.
Grandfather could still kick up his heels now and then.
show a clean pair of heels, to leave one's pursuers or competitors behind; outrun: Also show one's heels to
The thief showed his victim a clean pair of heels.
cool one's heels, to be kept waiting, especially because of deliberate discourtesy.
The producer let the actors who were waiting to be auditioned cool their heels in the outer office.
his heels, a jack turned up as a starter, counting two points for the dealer.
Example Sentences
It’s impossible not to be charmed by her, and even easier to see how men like John and Harry, who seem so different from one another, could fall head over heels for Lucy.
Now, members of the opposition — duly elected Democratic politicians — are being brought to heel, arrested and roughed up.
“You have spontaneous multiple events, which is the Achilles heel of any operation,” he said.
But he persevered through the losing and a series of foot injuries caused by a running style in which his heels would hit the ground before his toes.
Meanwhile Reform UK has identified the policy as a major Achilles heel for the Labour government.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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