Definition of 'heal'
Word forms: 3rd person singular present
tense heals
, present participle healing
, past tense, past participle healed
1. verb
2. ergative verb
A year later, she had healed to the point of at least being able to consider a romantic
relationship. [VERB]
Only by fully experiencing the depth of our pain can we be healed from it and be
done with it. [be V-ed from n]
[Also VERB noun]3. verb
If you heal something such as a rift or a wound, or if it heals, the situation is put right so that people are friendly or happy again.
Today Sophie and her sister have healed the family rift and visit their family every
weekend. [VERB noun]
The psychological effects on the United States were immense and in Washington the
wounds have still not fully healed. [VERB]
Phrasal verbs:
See heal up
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
heal
heal in British English
verb
2. (intr; often foll by over or up)
3. (transitive)
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
healable (ˈhealable) adjective
healer (ˈhealer)
noun
healing (ˈhealing)
noun, adjective
Word origin
Old English hælan; related to Old Norse heila, Gothic hailjan, Old High German heilen; see hale1, wholeheal in American English
verb intransitive
5.
to become well or healthy again; be cured
6.
to become closed or scarred
said of a wound SIMILAR WORDS: cure
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
heal in American English
(hil)
transitive verb
2.
to bring to an end or conclusion, as conflicts between people or groups, usually with the strong implication of restoring former amity; settle; reconcile
They tried to heal the rift between them but were unsuccessful
intransitive verb
4.
to effect a cure
5. (of a wound, broken bone, etc.) (often fol. by up or over)
to become whole or sound; mend; get well
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
healable adjective
Word origin
[bef. 900; ME helen, OE hǣlan (c. D helen, G heilen, ON heila, Goth hailjan), deriv. of hāl hale1, whole]Examples of 'heal' in a sentence
heal
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
Trends of
heal
View usage for:
In other languages
heal
British English: heal
/hiːl/ VERB
When an injury such as a broken bone heals, it becomes healthy and normal again.
It will take three to four weeks before the fracture fully heals.
- American English: heal /ˈhil/
- Arabic: يَشْفِي
- Brazilian Portuguese: cicatrizar
- Chinese: 愈合
- Croatian: zacijeliti
- Czech: hojit se
- Danish: hele
- Dutch: genezen
- European Spanish: curar
- Finnish: parantua sairaudesta
- French: guérir
- German: heilen
- Greek: θεραπεύω
- Italian: guarire
- Japanese: 治る
- Korean: (상처 등이) 낫다
- Norwegian: helbrede
- Polish: zagoić
- European Portuguese: cicatrizar
- Romanian: a vindeca
- Russian: вылечивать
- Latin American Spanish: curar
- Swedish: läka
- Thai: หายดี
- Turkish: iyileşmek
- Ukrainian: загоюватися
- Vietnamese: hàn gắn
Browse alphabetically
heal
Related terms of
heal
Source
Definition of heal from the Collins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
arrived or reached?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
arrived
reached
I at the hotel yesterday.
allow or let?
Which version is correct?
alternate or alternative?
Which version is correct?
ashamed or embarrassed?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
embarrassed
ashamed
He seemed by the question.
great or large?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
great
large
Many species are in danger.
Your score:
Word of the day
god game
a computer roleplaying game in which the player controls the destiny of one or more avatars within a large virtual environment
9 new words in Collins Dictionary
There is a scientific bent to 9 new words added to the Collins Online Dictionary, including three types of 'blot' tests, and words relating to electric vehicles.
Read more
Brush up on your Latin this Back to School
With the UK running a pilot study into teaching Latin in state schools, we look at common Latin phrases still in use today.
Read more
A little bird told me… 7 animal idioms
It’s new words time at Collins Dictionary and this month we see the addition of words like fingerling, net zero and emotional support animal. This month, there were a few animal-related additions.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
fantastic atmosphere or poisonous atmosphere?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
fantastic atmosphere
poisonous atmosphere
With more seats made available, it should be a .
attend court or reach court?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
reach court
attend court
The trial may take more than a year to .
field questions or raise questions?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
raise questions
field questions
The proposals also about when workers should retire.
draft proposal or takeover proposal?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
takeover proposal
draft proposal
The board is expected to meet today to consider a formal .
slurred speech or victory speech?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
victory speech
slurred speech
He paid tribute to her in a very emotional .
Your score: