heal

verb

ˈhēl 

healed; healing; heals

transitive verb

1

a

: to make free from injury or disease : to make sound or whole

heal a wound

b

: to make well again : to restore to health

heal the sick

2

a

: to cause (an undesirable condition) to be overcome : mend

The troubles … had not been forgotten, but they had been healed.

—William Power

b

: to patch up or correct (a breach or division)

heal a breach between friends

3

: to restore to original purity or integrity

healed of sin

intransitive verb

: to become free from injury or disease : to return to a sound state

The cut has already healed.

Synonyms of heal

• rehabilitate
• cure
• fix
• treat

Examples of heal in a Sentence

You've got to give the injury time to heal.

After the divorce, he needed some time to heal.

The ointment will help heal the wound.

Recent Examples on the Web

The spa Clayoquot’s Healing Grounds Spa fully embraces the healing powers of nature, capitalizing on its secluded setting along the banks of the Bedwell River. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Exact instructions hinge on treatment depth, device settings, and how your skin heals. — Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026

Simmons is trying to resurrect his career after sitting out last season to heal a debilitating back injury. — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026

Her sister Judith can grow huge pumpkins, her twin brother Sammy can heal ailing plants, and her Auntie Dee makes pickles that can predict the future. — Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English helen, from Old English hǣlan; akin to Old High German heilen to heal, Old English hāl whole — more at whole

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing heal

• heal the rift/breach
• self-heal

Rhymes for heal

• beal
• chiel
• ciel
• creel
• deal
• diel
• eel
• feel
• feil
• heel
• keel
• kneel

Kids Definition

heal

verb

ˈhē(ə)l 

: to make or become healthy or whole

heal the sick

a cut that heals slowly

Medical Definition

heal

transitive verb

ˈhē(ə)l 

1

: to make sound or whole especially in bodily condition

2

: to cure of disease or disorder

heal injured tissues

intransitive verb

1

: to return to a sound state

the wound heals

2

: to effect a cure

healer

ˈhē-lər 

noun