What does heel mean?
A heel is the back part of the foot, the part that meets the ground when a person walks or stands on tiptoe. The word also refers to the raised rear section of a shoe or sock and, by extension, to similar rear or lower parts of objects such as golf clubs and ship fittings. In informal English, calling someone a heel means treating them as contemptible or unprincipled; the expression carries clear disapproval and is often used when describing a person’s behavior rather than their character in a neutral way. As a verb, heel means to tilt or lean sideways, most familiarly in reference to a ship responding to wind or waves. It can also describe moving sharply on one heel, suggesting a sudden change of direction. The word is especially memorable because it appears in the established expression “Achilles heel,” referring to a vulnerable point that can undermine an otherwise strong person or organization.
The back part of the human foot, especially the portion below the ankle; also the corresponding rear part of a shoe or sock, and a similar part of certain objects.
"The heel of her shoe tapped against the floor."
The figurative noun is informal and derogatory, especially when used to describe an unpleasant or contemptible person.
To tilt or lean to one side, especially a ship; also, to move or turn sharply on one heel.
"The vessel heeled as it turned into the wind."
The regular plural is used for multiple heels and, in the figurative sense, for several people described as contemptible.
"She wore shoes with thin rubber heels."
From the Achilles heel to the heel of a shoe, this small back-to-the-foot word carries an outsized range of meanings.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of heel
English heel descends from Old English hēla, meaning “heel,” and belongs to a Germanic word family with related forms in languages including Dutch and Old Norse. The basic anatomical sense is ancient, while later developments include footwear, nautical, and figurative uses. The metaphorical sense for a contemptible person and the verb meaning “to tilt” were established considerably later, extending the word beyond its original bodily reference.
Related word forms
How heel is actually used
The noun is standard in anatomical, footwear, and nautical contexts. As a disparaging label for a person, “heel” is informal and strongly derogatory. The verb is less common in general use and is especially associated with ships and other objects that tilt; it can also convey abrupt pivoting or turning.
Easily confused with heel
A heel is the back part of the foot, whereas to heal means to recover from an illness or injury.
Heel refers to part of the foot or a related object, while hell is the name of a place or condition of extreme suffering in traditional religious belief.