heal

verb

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 healedWilliam 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.

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 In a world marred with brokenness, these glimmers speak to the possibility of grieving losses, healing heartache and allowing ourselves to be changed. Martha Yesowitch, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2024 Knitting itself has documented therapeutic effects and can help heal trauma, says Dominique Kaehler Schweizer, also known as Madame Tricot (Mrs. Knitting), a Franco-Swiss psychiatrist and 3D knitting artist. Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 June 2024 The herb has long been used to treat illnesses and heal wounds. Lisa Desantis, Health, 1 June 2024 Loading your audio article SAN FRANCISCO — No, two years was not enough time to heal this wound, not if the reaction Friday evening inside Oracle Park offered any indication. Evan Webeck, The Mercury News, 31 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for heal 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'heal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of heal was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near heal

Cite this Entry

“Heal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heal. Accessed 12 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

heal

verb
: to make or become healthy or whole
heal the sick
a cut that heals slowly

Medical Definition

heal

transitive verb
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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on heal

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