French heel

American  

noun

1. a high, curved heel, characterized by a heel breast curving into a shank, used on women's shoes.

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French heel British  

noun

1. a fairly high and narrow-waisted heel on women's shoes

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Other Word Forms

• French-heeled adjective

Etymology

Origin of French heel

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

The article, which was meant to quash “speculation” that Rankin dressed like a man, described her as “thoroughly feminine” and detailed her “soft and clinging gowns” and “high and distinctively French heels.”

From Washington Post

They swept on as majestically as tight skirts and French heels would permit, and Croly, confused, subsided back on his bench again.

From Project Gutenberg

While I dress, do you drill her, Nan, in the management of her skirt, and those French heels, or she will trip herself up.

From Project Gutenberg

French heels only are to be considered and a georgette blouse with elaborate camisole or a silk dress is an absolute necessity.

From Project Gutenberg

She dug her little French heel into the spark.

From Project Gutenberg