Distinguishing Heel from Heal

Heel vs Heal

Homonyms are pairs of words in English that share the same pronunciation but have different meanings. This can lead to confusion, as listeners might think of one word when the speaker means another. The words “heel” and “heal” are an example of such a pair. This article will explore the differences between the two words.

Heel

The heel refers to the back part of the foot. A famous phrase that can help remember the meaning of this word is “Achilles’ heel,” which is used to indicate a weakness or vulnerability in someone. The heel is also a part of a shoe that is at the back and raises the shoe above the ground to protect our soles. This term is so commonly used that even the back part of stockings and socks is referred to as the heel. Here are some examples:

• Get the heel of your shoe repaired
• My socks have got torn at the heel
• She was looking tall in high heels

Heal

To heal refers to the body’s natural ability to recover or repair itself after an injury or wound. When someone asks about your health after an accident, you might respond by saying that the wound is healing. In this context, to heal means to get better or recover. Here are some example sentences:

• The doctor told him that his hand would heal up in two weeks
• Pay attention to your diet if you want to heal up quickly

Key Takeaways

• Heal means to get better in health or recover from an injury or disease
• Heel refers to the back part of one’s foot, as well as the back part of socks and stockings worn in the same place
• The hard part at the back of a shoe that prevents injury to our soles is also called the heel of the shoe