heal

UK: /ˈhiːl/ US: /hil/ ,(hēl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

heal /hil/   v. 

1. Medicine to (cause to) become healthy or well again: [~ + object]
   This medicine should heal that sore on your leg.
   [no object]
   When will my leg heal?
2. to repair or take care of;
   settle:
   [~ + object] Only time will heal my broken heart.

heal•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

heal  (hēl), v.t. 

1. Medicine to make healthy, whole, or sound;
   restore to health;
   free from ailment.
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.
3. to free from evil;
   cleanse;
   purify:
   to heal the soul.

v.i. 

4. to effect a cure.
5. Physiology (of a wound, broken bone, etc.) to become whole or sound;
   mend;
   get well (often fol. by up or over).

• Middle English helen, Old English hǣlan (cognate with Dutch helen, German heilen, Old Norse heila, Gothic hailjan), derivative of hāl hale¹, whole bef. 900

heal′a•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. See cure. 
• 2. compose, soothe.
• 3. purge, disinfect.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. irritate.
• 3. soil, infect.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

heal / hiːl/ verb

1. to restore or be restored to health
2. (intr; often followed by over or up) (of a wound, burn, etc) to repair by natural processes, as by scar formation
3. (transitive) to cure (a disease or disorder)
4. to restore or be restored to friendly relations, harmony, etc

Etymology: Old English hælan; related to Old Norse heila, Gothic hailjan, Old High German heilen; see hale¹, whole

ˈhealer noun

ˈhealing noun , adjective