high heels are shoes that increase the heel of the wearer's feet significantly higher than the toes. When both heels and toes are lifted, as in platform shoes, it is generally not considered a "high heel." Heel heels come in a variety of styles, and heels are found in various shapes, including stilettos, blocks, pointed, knives, and wedge.

Currently, high heels are usually worn in public only by women, who may wear high heels at work or at official occasions. High heels have seen significant controversy in the medical field of late, with many podiatrists seeing patients whose severe foot problems have been caused almost exclusively by high heel wear.