heel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to formal, depending on sense; common in everyday speech for the foot/shoe meaning.
Quick answer
What does “heel” mean?
The back part of the foot below the ankle.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The back part of the foot below the ankle.
Any part of an object resembling this (e.g., shoe heel, bread heel); to follow closely; to tilt or cause to tilt to one side.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling difference in verb/adjective forms: 'heeling'/'heeled' vs. same. The nautical/aviation verb 'to heel' (to tilt) is international technical vocabulary. The command 'Heel!' to a dog is identical.
Connotations
Connotations are largely identical. 'Down at heel' (shabby) is slightly more common in UK English.
Frequency
Core meanings (foot, shoe) are equally frequent. 'Achilles heel' is equally common. The verb sense of following/closely attending ('Heel, boy!') is slightly less common in everyday US speech but understood.
Grammar
How to Use “heel” in a Sentence
[V] Heel! (imperative)[V + prep] heel over (to tilt)[V + adv] heel in (to plant cuttings)[VN] Heel the dog. (command object)[Adj + N] high-heeled shoesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “heel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The yacht heeled sharply as it caught the wind.
- He trained his spaniel to heel without a lead.
American English
- The sailboat heeled over in the gust.
- She told the dog to heel as they approached the road.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- She wore elegant heeled boots to the meeting.
American English
- He bought a pair of heeled cowboy boots.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphor for weakness: 'Our outdated IT system is the company's Achilles heel.'
Academic
Anatomical term in biology/medicine; metaphorical use in social sciences: 'The study identified the policy's ideological heel.'
Everyday
Footwear, walking, dog training: 'I need to get the heel of my boot repaired.' 'The dog won't heel properly.'
Technical
Nautical: 'The ship began to heel in the strong wind.' Aviation: 'The aircraft heeled during the turn.' Cobbling/shoemaking: 'The heel seat and breast.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “heel”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “heel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “heel”
- Confusing 'heel' (foot) with 'heal' (to cure).
- Using 'hill' instead of 'heel' in pronunciation/spelling.
- Incorrect preposition: 'on the heels of' NOT 'in the heels of'.
- Using 'Achilles heel' to mean a strength.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. The primary noun refers to the back of the foot or a shoe part. The verb can mean to follow closely (like a dog) or to tilt (like a ship).
'Heel' is about the foot or tilting. 'Heal' (pronounced the same) means to become healthy again, like a wound healing.
It is an idiom meaning a critical weakness or vulnerable point, derived from the Greek myth of the warrior Achilles, who was invulnerable except for his heel.
Yes, primarily metaphorically. Phrases like 'Achilles heel' (a fatal flaw) and 'bring to heel' (to gain control over a person or department) are used in business contexts.
The back part of the foot below the ankle.
Heel is usually neutral to formal, depending on sense; common in everyday speech for the foot/shoe meaning. in register.
Heel: in British English it is pronounced /hiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /hiːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Achilles heel (weak point)”
- “bring to heel (bring under control)”
- “cool one's heels (be kept waiting)”
- “dig in one's heels (refuse to move/change)”
- “down at heel (shabby)”
- “head over heels (completely in love)”
- “kick up one's heels (celebrate/be lively)”
- “on the heels of (immediately after)”
- “take to one's heels (run away)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HIGH HEEL shoe digging its point into the HEEL of your foot. The word 'HEEL' is in both the pain and the cause.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEAKNESS IS A VULNERABLE HEEL (Achilles heel). CONTROL IS MAKING SOMEONE/SOMETHING HEEL (bring to heel). IMMEDIATE PROXIMITY IS BEING ON THE HEELS OF.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'heel' mean 'to tilt or lean to one side'?