1 B1 neutral
(of a wound or injury) To close up and form new skin, completing the surface healing process.
"Keep the bandage on until the cut heals over — you don't want it to get infected."
inseparable
heal over
B1 neutral inseparable intransitive
For a wound or injury to close up and form new skin on the surface.
In plain English
For a cut or sore to get better and grow new skin on top.
What does "heal over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
(figurative) For emotional pain or a difficult situation to gradually diminish and become less raw.
"It took years, but eventually the grief healed over and she found happiness again."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To heal so that new tissue grows 'over' the surface of a wound.
Actually means
For a cut or sore to get better and grow new skin on top.
Usage tip
Primarily used for physical wounds, cuts, sores, and injuries. Emphasises the surface layer closing over. Also used figuratively for emotional pain or trauma that gradually fades. Less common than 'heal up' in everyday speech.
Words that pair with "heal over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
wound cut sore scratch blister burns
How to conjugate "heal over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
heal over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
heals over
he/she/it
Past simple
healed over
yesterday
Past participle
healed over
have + pp
-ing form
healing over
continuous
Hear "heal over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "heal over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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