What this suffix does
-heeled is used for footwear (high-heeled) or, figuratively, for financial standing: well-heeled (wealthy), down-at-heel (fallen on hard times).
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Suffix · forms adjectives
-heeled
Used for the type of shoe heel or, figuratively, for financial standing: high-heeled (with a high heel) and well-heeled (wealthy).
In Spanish: de tacón / adinerado / con posiblesIntermediate
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
How it is formed
Adjective or adverb + heeled.
- high + heeledhigh-heeled (with a high heel)
- well + heeledwell-heeled (wealthy)
- down-at + heeldown-at-heel (shabby, fallen on hard times)
This is not a productive rule you can apply freely: it is a closed set of fixed expressions. Learn them one by one as set phrases.
How it is pronounced
-heeled
Tap the button to hear how the ending sounds. Each word in the table has its own audio.
Examples
Base word
With -heeled
In a phrase
- wellwell-heeledThe restaurant is popular with well-heeled tourists.
- down-atdown-at-heelThe hotel looked down-at-heel, nothing like the photos.
- highhigh-heeledShe struggled to walk in high-heeled shoes on the cobblestones.
- spikespike-heeledHer spike-heeled boots clicked loudly on the floor.
- rubberrubber-heeledHe wore rubber-heeled shoes so he wouldn't slip.
Common mistakes
"well-heeled" = physically having good heels on one's shoes
"well-heeled" = wealthy and comfortably established; having enough money to live well
"Well-heeled" in its figurative sense = wealthy and well-provided for. The metaphor derives from the idea that someone who can afford to keep their shoes in good condition (with well-maintained heels) is someone with money to spend on such things. In modern English the shoe metaphor is invisible — it is simply a synonym for "prosperous" with a slightly British class edge.
"down-at-heel" = personally unhappy or depressed
"down-at-heel" = shabby and reduced in circumstances; showing signs of having fallen from better times
"Down-at-heel" describes shabby external circumstances — the appearance of reduced financial means. A "down-at-heel" office, neighbourhood, or person looks as though better times have passed. It is about visible shabbiness and the suggestion of decline rather than internal emotional state.
A trick to remember it
"Heel" = heel. Picture the heel as a status symbol: well-HEELED = a tall, elegant heel (money). down-at-heel = a worn-down, scuffed heel (fallen on hard times).
Practise what you learned
Exercise 1 · Form the word
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
"down-at-heel" describes a place that is...
Frequently asked questions
What does the suffix -heeled mean in English?
The suffix -heeled used for the type of shoe heel or, figuratively, for financial standing: high-heeled (with a high heel) and well-heeled (wealthy). In Spanish it usually maps to de tacón / adinerado / con posibles.
Can you give an example of a word with -heeled?
"well" becomes "well-heeled". It is a typical example of the -heeled suffix.
Other useful suffixes
-bred
Describes how a person, animal, or talent was raised: well-bred (well-mannered) versus ill-bred (badly raised).
-footed
Describes how someone moves or how steady they are: sure-footed (steady, doesn't stumble) and flat-footed (caught off guard; also flat feet).
-natured
Describes someone's underlying character: good-natured (kind, easygoing) versus ill-natured (bad-tempered).
Learn every English suffix
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