Heel vs Heal
What’s the difference between them?
Heel
Meaning:
The back of the human foot, just above the arch.
Examples:
1. She trained her dog to stay close to her heel.
2. The heel of my shoe is starting to wear out.
3. He stumbled and nearly fell, but caught himself on his heel.
Heal
Meaning:
To make or become sound or healthy again.
Examples:
1. She was determined to heal her heartbreak.
2. The wound was beginning to heal.
3. Yoga helped her heal physical and emotional pain.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Heel
1. Foot back
2. Underside of the foot
3. Hinder part
4. Rear of the foot
5. Toe-end
1. Toe
2. Front
3. Rise
4. Walk Away
5. Run Ahead
Heal
1. Mend
2. Cure
3. Restore
4. Revive
5. Make Whole Again
1. Worsen
2. Damage
3. Aggravate
4. Fester
5. Make Ill
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Heel", "Heal".
1. Heel is the back part of the human foot and lower leg which the body's weight bears on when standing or walking.
2. Mnemonic Phrase: 'My high heels hurt my legs.'
3. Heal is to make or become healthy or whole again.
4. Mnemonic Phrase: 'My body needs to HEAL to become whole again.'
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When should 'Heel' be used?
'Heel' is typically used to refer to back of a human foot.
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'Heal'?
'Heal' is typically used as a verb to describe the process of the body repairing itself and returning to good health after injury or illness. It is also used as a noun to describe the process of this return to good health.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
Yes, these words have similar pronunciation, so you have pay attention to the context to use the correct word.
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
People often confuse 'heel' and 'heal' when writing, as the two words are very similar in spelling. People may also incorrectly use 'heal' as a command, or use 'heel' to describe the process of returning to good health.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The doctor told him to stay off his injured foot until it had the chance to ____.
2. The injured puppy was limping on its ____.
3. The nurse applied a topical ointment to help the wound ____.
4. The patients broken ____ required a cast to protect it.
5. The trainers advised him to wear supportive shoes to alleviate the pain in his ____.
6. The wounds were treated with a special salve to help them ____ faster.
1. The doctor told him to stay off his injured foot until it had the chance to heal.
Explanation: The verb heal means to make or become healthy again, so it is the most appropriate choice to fill this gap.
2. The injured puppy was limping on its heel.
Explanation: The noun heel refers to the back part of the foot, so it is the most appropriate choice to fill this gap.
3. The nurse applied a topical ointment to help the wound heal.
Explanation: The verb heal means to make or become healthy again, so it is the most appropriate choice to fill this gap.
4. The patients broken heel required a cast to protect it.
Explanation: The noun heel refers to the back part of the foot, so it is the most appropriate choice to fill this gap.
5. The trainers advised him to wear supportive shoes to alleviate the pain in his heel.
Explanation: The noun heel refers to the back part of the foot, so it is the most appropriate choice to fill this gap.
6. The wounds were treated with a special salve to help them heal faster.
Explanation: The verb heal means to make or become healthy again, so it is the most appropriate choice to fill this gap.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.