1 C1 neutral
For a sailing vessel to lean or tilt to one side, typically caused by wind pressure on the sails.
"As the squall hit, the yacht heeled over sharply and we all grabbed the railings."
inseparable
heel over
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
For a ship or boat to lean or tilt to one side, especially due to wind or an uneven load.
In plain English
When a boat leans over to one side.
What does "heel over" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
For any object or person to lean or tilt dangerously to one side.
"The old chimney stack heeled over in the storm and collapsed into the garden."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For the heel (lower side/base) to tilt over.
Actually means
When a boat leans over to one side.
Usage tip
Primarily a nautical/sailing term. 'Heel' is the standard sailing term for a boat's sideways tilt. Can also be used loosely of any object tilting over.
Words that pair with "heel over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
boat ship yacht vessel wind wave
How to conjugate "heel over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
heel over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
heels over
he/she/it
Past simple
heeled over
yesterday
Past participle
heeled over
have + pp
-ing form
heeling over
continuous
Hear "heel over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "heel over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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