heel
heel — noun
1. the hard, round rear end of a human foot, positioned just under the ankle — it i
the hard, round rear end of a human foot, positioned just under the ankle — it is the portion that touches the ground when standing normally
Haruto's new hiking boots rubbed against his heel and gave him a painful blister.
collocation: rub against the heel
The doctor asked Sofie to stand on her heels so she could check the bones in her feet.
collocation: stand on one's heels
Talia landed awkwardly after jumping off the wall and felt a sudden pain shoot through her heel.
Vinícius wore thick woollen socks to stop his heels from getting cold during winter walks.
When you run downhill, most of your body weight lands on your heels.
passive-like: weight lands on the heels
- rub against the heel
- stand on one's heels
- pain in the heel
- heel of the foot
- land on one's heels
Usage Note
Frequently paired with possessive pronouns ('my heel', 'her heels') when referring to a specific injury or pain point.
Common Mistakes
2. the section of a sock, shoe, or boot that wraps around or covers the back of a p
the section of a sock, shoe, or boot that wraps around or covers the back of a person's heel
A hole had worn through the heel of Ava's favourite woollen socks.
collocation: heel of a sock
The heel of Christopher's left boot had a thick leather patch sewn onto it.
collocation: heel of a boot
Élise checked the heels of her running shoes before the race and found a small tear in one.
plural: heels of shoes
Shanti bought new walking shoes because the heels of her old ones had worn dangerously thin.
- heel of a sock
- heel of a shoe
- heel of a boot
- worn heel
- reinforced heel
3. the solid, raised component attached underneath the rear part of footwear, desig
the solid, raised component attached underneath the rear part of footwear, designed to lift the rear of the foot above ground level
Darius took his boots to the cobbler after the heel on his left boot snapped off.
collocation: heel snaps / breaks off
Amani prefers flat shoes because high heels make her feet ache at the end of the day.
compound noun: high heels
The heel of Apinya's school shoe had worn down so much that it slanted to one side.
passive: heel is worn down
Esme clicked the heels of her dance shoes together and smiled as the music began.
A rubber heel on a work boot lasts longer than a leather one in wet weather.
material: rubber heel / leather heel
- high heels
- heel snaps
- rubber heel
- leather heel
- heel wears down
- click one's heels
Usage Note
When used in the plural as 'heels' without a modifier ('she wore heels'), it is a shorthand for 'high-heeled shoes'. This sense differs from sense 2, which refers to the section of the shoe that covers the foot, not the raised piece underneath.
4. an informal term for a selfish or dishonest individual — typical in wrestling fo
an informal term for a selfish or dishonest individual — typical in wrestling for a villain character, and in everyday talk for a man you cannot rely on
In the wrestling show, Haruto played the heel while Christopher was the crowd favourite.
wrestling context: play the heel
The film's main villain was a complete heel who cheated everyone he did business with.
informal: complete heel
Nobody trusted the new landlord — the tenants all thought he was a real heel.
Amani's former business partner turned out to be a heel who ran off with the company savings.
- play the heel
- complete heel
- real heel
- wrestling heel
- hero
a person admired for courage or good qualities; the opposite of a 'heel' in wrestling
Usage Note
Informal and somewhat old-fashioned in everyday speech. In modern use, it survives most commonly in professional wrestling (where 'heel' is the standard term for a villain character) and in scripts or stories that use deliberately theatrical language.
5. the thick, muscular area of the inner palm that sits nearest to the wrist bone
the thick, muscular area of the inner palm that sits nearest to the wrist bone
The massage therapist pressed firmly on the heel of Talia's hand to release the tension in her palm.
collocation: heel of the hand
Vinícius rested his chin on the heel of his hand while he thought about the puzzle.
When Sofie fell off her bicycle, she landed on the heel of her palm and bruised it badly.
injury context: land on the heel of the palm
Élise used the heel of her hand to push the heavy kitchen drawer shut.
action: use the heel of the hand to push
- heel of the hand
- heel of the palm
- land on the heel of one's hand
- press with the heel of the hand
- palm heel
alternative term, less common
- carpal pad
technical anatomical term, rarely used in everyday language
Usage Note
Also referred to as the 'heel of the palm' or 'heel of the hand'. This sense is anatomically distinct from the foot heel (sense 1) and is primarily used when describing hand positions, injuries, or massage techniques.
6. the thick outer crust found at either end of a standard bread loaf, typically fi
the thick outer crust found at either end of a standard bread loaf, typically firmer than the middle slices
Shanti always saves the heel of the bread to make breadcrumbs for cooking.
collocation: heel of the bread
Ava spread butter on the heel of the loaf and ate it with her soup.
collocation: heel of the loaf
The children argued over who got to eat the heel of the fresh French bread.
Christopher packed the bread heels in a plastic bag and stored them in the freezer.
plural: bread heels
- heel of the bread
- heel of the loaf
- bread heel
- save the heel
- eat the heel
- middle slice
the softer, interior slice of a bread loaf
Usage Note
Sometimes called the 'crust end' or 'bread end' in American English. In British English this sense is also informally referred to as the 'knobby end' or simply 'the end piece'.
7. the lower end of a string-instrument bow — the section closest to the player's h
the lower end of a string-instrument bow — the section closest to the player's hand, opposite the tip
The violin teacher showed Apinya how to hold the heel of the bow correctly for a straight tone.
collocation: heel of the bow
Darius gently tapped the heel of his cello bow on the floor to get the orchestra's attention.
action: tap the heel of the bow
Amani replaced the worn grip on the heel of her viola bow before the concert season began.
maintenance: replace grip on the heel
The heel of a violin bow is usually decorated with a small piece of mother-of-pearl.
- heel of the bow
- bow heel
- tap the heel of the bow
- grip on the heel
- frog
the technical term for the block at the heel of a bow that holds the horsehair in place; 'frog' is more specific than 'heel'
- tip
the opposite end of the bow from the heel
Usage Note
This is a specialist term used by musicians. The heel is the part of the bow closest to the player's hand, opposite the tip. Luthiers and instrument shops are the most common contexts for this sense.
to force someone to obey you or act in the way you want them to
The new coach soon brought the unruly team to heel with strict training rules.
The government brought the rebellious province to heel by sending in troops.
take to one's heels
idiomto run away from a place or situation, especially because of danger or fear
When the security guard shouted, the teenagers took to their heels and disappeared down the alley.
The rabbit took to its heels the moment it heard the dog bark.
head over heels
idiomcompletely and deeply, especially when in love with someone
Talia fell head over heels in love with the young man she met at the bookshop.
Vinícius is head over heels about his new job as a chef in a busy restaurant.
on the heels of
idiomhappening very soon after something else, or following closely behind someone
A heatwave arrived on the heels of the heaviest rainfall the region had seen in years.
The police were hot on the heels of the escaped prisoner throughout the night.
dig in one's heels
idiomto refuse to change your opinion or plan, even when others try to persuade you
The union dug in its heels and rejected the company's final pay offer.
Ava dug in her heels and insisted that the project deadline should not be moved.
Following very closely behind someone.
The dog ran at the boy's heels all the way home.
With the reporter on her heels, the actress hurried into the car.
To force someone or something to obey you.
The coach brought the rebellious player to heel with strict rules.
The government tried to bring the media to heel by imposing fines.
come to heel
idiomTo agree to obey someone and follow their orders.
After a long argument, the team finally came to heel.
The dog refused to come to heel and ran off.
cool your heels
idiomTo be forced to wait for someone or something.
I cooled my heels in the lobby for an hour.
The applicants cooled their heels outside the interview room.
To refuse to change your opinion or plans.
My father dug his heels in and would not let me go.
The union dug its toes in and rejected the offer.
drag your feet/heels
idiomTo do something very slowly on purpose.
The committee dragged its feet on approving the budget.
Why are you dragging your heels on this project?
Very close behind someone or something, or soon after something.
The police were hot on the thief's heels.
Success came hard on the heels of her first film.
Completely and deeply in love with someone.
Mia fell head over heels in love with her neighbor.
They are head over heels in love and plan to marry.
kick your heels
idiomTo have nothing to do while waiting for something.
We kicked our heels at the station for two hours.
The children kicked their heels in the garden, bored.
kick up your heels
idiomTo relax and have a good time, often after work.
After finals, the students kicked up their heels at the party.
She decided to kick up her heels and enjoy the weekend.
take to your heels
idiomTo run away quickly from someone or something.
When the dog barked, the cat took to its heels.
The thief took to his heels when he saw the police.
To follow someone very closely.
The little girl trod on her mother's heels all day.
The spy trod on the agent's heels through the market.
To turn around suddenly to face the opposite direction.
He spun on his heel and walked out without a word.
She turned on her heel and glared at him.
Completely controlled or oppressed by someone.
The country lived under the heel of a dictator for decades.
Workers were under the heel of the factory owner.
heel — verb
1. to put a new raised back piece onto a boot or shoe, or to mend the existing back
to put a new raised back piece onto a boot or shoe, or to mend the existing back piece
The elderly cobbler heeled hundreds of leather boots over his fifty-year career.
active: person heels boots
Esme took her favourite ankle boots to the repair shop to get them heeled.
passive: get something heeled
Haruto learned how to heel his own climbing shoes at home to save money.
The shop heeling men's dress shoes charges fifteen dollars per pair.
participle: heeling shop
- heel a boot
- heel a shoe
- get shoes heeled
- heeled by a cobbler
- resole
to replace the entire bottom of a shoe, not just the heel
Grammar Patterns
heel + object (the shoe / boot)
Usage Note
Relatively uncommon in everyday conversation; most people say 'get the heel repaired' or 'have new heels put on' instead of using the verb 'heel' directly.
2. in rugby, to kick the ball backward using the heel of the foot, typically during
in rugby, to kick the ball backward using the heel of the foot, typically during a scrum or ruck, in order to pass it to a teammate
Sofie heeled the ball skilfully out of the scrum to her team's fly-half.
active: heel the ball out of the scrum
The forward managed to heel the ball back to his teammate just before the referee blew the whistle.
Haruto practised heeling the ball during every training session until the move felt natural.
gerund: practising heeling
The prop forward heeled the ball cleanly through the back of the ruck to start a new attack.
- heel the ball
- heel out of the scrum
- heel back to a teammate
Grammar Patterns
heel + the ball
Usage Note
This sense is only used in the context of rugby union or rugby league. Outside of rugby, it will not be understood. The ball must be moving backward — 'heeling' always implies backward direction.
heel — exclamation
1. a command given to a dog telling it to walk closely beside its owner, or to stop
a command given to a dog telling it to walk closely beside its owner, or to stop moving away and come alongside the person giving the order
"Heel!" the dog trainer commanded firmly, and the puppy immediately fell into step beside her leg.
command: dog training
Vinícius called out "Heel!" to his Labrador retriever during their walk through the park.
The owner kept repeating "Heel, boy!" until the excited dog stopped pulling on the lead.
At the obedience competition, each dog had to walk at heel around the ring without straying.
phrase: walk at heel
Usage Note
Used specifically in dog training and dog handling. The 'heel' position means the dog walks on the left side of the handler with its head level with the handler's knee. It is not used as a general command for all animals.
Word family
- heeledadjectiveC1
- heelernounC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/4
All four words describe people with bad moral character, but they differ in tone and context. 'Heel' is the most informal and specific — it is widely used in professional wrestling for the villain character, and in everyday speech it suggests a selfish but somewhat theatrical badness ('the manager turned out to be a real heel'). 'Villain' is the most general and strongest term; it suggests active cruelty or evil intent and appears frequently in stories and news ('the villain of the piece was finally caught'). 'Scoundrel' is more old-fashioned and literary, implying a man who deliberately breaks moral rules with a sense of style ('the charming scoundrel tricked the whole town'). 'Rogue' is the mildest and even affectionate; it describes someone who breaks rules but in a mischievous rather than harmful way ('the lovable rogue always found a way around the rules'). Usage example: a wrestling announcer would say 'the heel is booed by the crowd,' but a news report would call a violent criminal a 'villain' rather than a 'heel.'
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'heel' comes from Old English 'hēla', which is related to the Old English 'hōh' meaning 'heel' or 'hock' (the joint in an animal's leg). Going further back, it comes from a Proto-Germanic root '*hanhilaz', which itself comes from a Proto-Indo-European root '*kenk-' meaning 'to bend' or 'to joint' — a reference to the bent or angled shape of the heel joint. The word has been used for the back part of the human foot since before the year 1000. Over time, the meaning expanded to cover anything that resembles or relates to the heel's position or shape: the heel of a shoe (1400s), the heel of bread (1500s), the heel of the hand (1600s), and the heel of a bow (1800s). The figurative sense of a 'despicable person' emerged in American slang around the early 1900s, possibly from the idea of a 'heel' as the lowest part of a person, or from wrestling terminology.