Heel vs. Toe — What's the Difference?

The heel is the prominence at the posterior end of the foot. It is based on the projection of one bone, the calcaneus or heel bone, behind the articulation of the bones of the lower leg.

Toes are the digits (fingers) of the foot of a tetrapod. Animal species such as cats that walk on their toes are described as being digitigrade.

The rounded posterior portion of the human foot under and behind the ankle.

One of the digits of a vertebrate foot.

The corresponding part of the hind foot of other vertebrates.

The forepart of a foot or hoof.

A similar anatomical part, such as the fleshy rounded base of the human palm or the hind toe of a bird.

The terminal segment of an invertebrate's limb.

The part, as of a sock, shoe, or stocking, that covers the heel.

The part of a sock, shoe, or boot that covers the digits of the foot.

The built-up portion of a shoe or boot, supporting the heel.

The part of the head of a golf club farthest from the shaft.

One of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread.

The part of a vertical shaft that turns in a bearing.

The part of the head of a golf club where it joins the shaft.

The lowest part of an embankment or dam.

The end of a violin bow where the handle is located.

(Geology)A protruding downslope end of an alluvial fan, glacier, or lava flow.

The lower end of a mast.

To touch, kick, or reach with the toe.

The after end of a ship's keel.

To drive (a golf ball) with the toe of the club.

(Botany) The basal end of a plant cutting or tuber used in propagation.

To set or adjust at an oblique angle. Used with in or out.

Oppression; tyranny

To drive (a nail or spike) at an oblique angle.

(Informal) A dishonorable or unscrupulous person.

To fasten or secure with obliquely driven nails or spikes.

A tilt, as of a boat, to one side.

To stand, walk, move, or be formed with the toes pointed in a specified direction

To furnish with a heel or heels.

Each of the five digits on the end of the foot.

To repair or replace the heels, as for shoes.

An equivalent part in an animal.

(Slang) To furnish, especially with money.

That part of a shoe or sock covering the toe.

To arm (a gamecock) with gaffs.

Something resembling a toe, especially at the bottom or extreme end of something.

To press or strike with the heel

(dance) An advanced form of ballet primarily for the females, dancing ballet primarily using a Pointe shoe.

To follow at one's heels

(automotive) An alignment of the wheels of a road vehicle, either positive (toe in), meaning the wheels are closer together at the front than at the back, or negative (toe out), the other way round.

To tilt or cause to tilt to one side.

(engineering) The journal, or pivot, at the lower end of a revolving shaft or spindle, which rests in a step.

To cover the roots of (a plant) with soil temporarily, as while preparing for a more permanent planting. Often with in

(engineering) A lateral projection at one end, or between the ends, of a piece, such as a rod or bolt, by means of which it is moved.

(anatomy) The rear part of the foot, where it joins the leg.

(engineering) A projection from the periphery of a revolving piece, acting as a cam to lift another piece.

The part of a shoe's sole which supports the foot's heel.

(carpentry) The long side of an angled cut.

The rear part of a sock or similar covering for the foot.

The upper end of the bit (cutting edge) of an axehead; as opposed to the heel (lower end).

The part of the palm of a hand closest to the wrist.

(slang) cameltoe

A woman's high-heeled shoe.

To furnish (a stocking, etc.) with a toe.

(firearms) The back, upper part of the stock.

To touch, tap or kick with the toes.

The last or lowest part of anything.

(transitive) To touch or reach with the toes; to come fully up to.

A crust end-piece of a loaf of bread.

(construction) To fasten (a piece) by driving a fastener at a near-45-degree angle through the side (of the piece) into the piece to which it is to be fastened.

(US) The base of a bun sliced in half lengthwise.

(golf) To mishit a golf ball with the toe of the club.

(informal) A contemptible, unscrupulous, inconsiderate or thoughtless person.

One of the terminal members, or digits, of the foot of a man or an animal.

A headlining wrestler regarded as a "bad guy," whose ring persona embodies villainous or reprehensible traits and demonstrates characteristics of a braggart and a bully.

The fore part of the hoof or foot of an animal.

(card games) The cards set aside for later use in a patience or solitaire game.

Anything, or any part, corresponding to the toe of the foot; as, the toe of a boot; the toe of a skate.

Anything resembling a human heel in shape; a protuberance; a knob.

The journal, or pivot, at the lower end of a revolving shaft or spindle, which rests in a step.

(architecture) The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter.

To touch or reach with the toes; to come fully up to; as, to toe the mark.

The obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping.

To hold or carry the toes (in a certain way).

A cyma reversa.

One of the digits of the foot

(carpentry) The short side of an angled cut.

The part of footwear that provides a covering for the toes

(golf) The part of a club head's face nearest the shaft.

Forepart of a hoof

The lower end of the bit (cutting edge) of an axehead; as opposed to the toe (upper end).

(golf) the part of a clubhead farthest from the shaft

In a carding machine, the part of a flat nearest the cylinder.

Walk so that the toes assume an indicated position or direction;

(nautical) The junction between the keel and the stempost of a vessel; an angular wooden join connecting the two.

Drive obliquely;

(nautical) The act of inclining or canting from a vertical position; a cant.

Hit (a golf ball) with the toe of the club

To follow at somebody's heels; to chase closely.

Drive (a golf ball) with the toe of the club

To add a heel to, or increase the size of the heel of (a shoe or boot).

Touch with the toe

To kick with the heel.

Having a toe or toes of a specified kind; often used in combination;

(transitive) To perform by the use of the heels, as in dancing, running, etc.

(transitive) To arm with a gaff, as a cock for fighting.

To hit (the ball) with the heel of the club.

To make (a fair catch) standing with one foot forward, the heel on the ground and the toe up.

To incline to one side; to tilt.

To lean or tip to one side, as a ship; as, the ship heels aport; the boat heeled over when the squall struck it.

To perform by the use of the heels, as in dancing, running, and the like.

To add a heel to; as, to heel a shoe.

To arm with a gaff, as a cock for fighting.

To hit (the ball) with the heel of the club.

To make (a fair catch) standing with one foot advanced, the heel on the ground and the toe up.

The hinder part of the foot; sometimes, the whole foot; - in man or quadrupeds.

The hinder part of any covering for the foot, as of a shoe, sock, etc.; specif., a solid part projecting downward from the hinder part of the sole of a boot or shoe.

The latter or remaining part of anything; the closing or concluding part.

Anything regarded as like a human heel in shape; a protuberance; a knob.

The part of a thing corresponding in position to the human heel; the lower part, or part on which a thing rests

Management by the heel, especially the spurred heel; as, the horse understands the heel well.

The lower end of a timber in a frame, as a post or rafter. In the United States, specif., the obtuse angle of the lower end of a rafter set sloping.

The part of the face of the club head nearest the shaft.

In a carding machine, the part of a flat nearest the cylinder.

The bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground

The back part of the human foot

Someone who is morally reprehensible;

One of the crusty ends of a loaf of bread

The lower end of a ship's mast

(golf) the part of the clubhead where it joins the shaft

The piece of leather that fits the heel

Tilt to one side;

Follow at the heels of a person

Perform with the heels;

Strike with the heel of the club;

Put a new heel on;