kitten heel

American  

[kit-n heel] / ˈkɪt n ˌhil /

noun

1. a thin, tapering heel on a woman's shoe, lower than a spike heel.

2. a shoe with this type of heel.

---

kitten heel British  

noun

1. a low stiletto heel on a woman's shoe

2. a woman's shoe with a low stiletto heel

---

Etymology

Origin of kitten heel

First recorded in 1955–60; so called because originally considered appropriate for teenagers

Example Sentences

This one’s a little one, it’s a little kitten heel, it doesn’t do much.

From Los Angeles Times

The Campo Loafer is the ultimate in cool with its curved kitten heel and bulky asymmetrical silhouette.

From Los Angeles Times

Nikola wears Cartier Signature Cs; Kenzo rose fitted shirt in faded pink mesh polyamide; rose turtleneck top in faded pink mesh polyamide; kitten heel in leather covered by faded pink Kenzo rose printed textile.

From Los Angeles Times

"Whenever I go on the red carpet, I get sent shoes that are always so high. I’m like, 'Do they have a kitten heel? I’m going to be the tallest person – a giraffe.'"

From Salon

She had one shoe from Stead & Simpson, described as blue with a blue bow and a small kitten heel, she was wearing black knitted gloves and a yellow and black patterned scarf.

From BBC