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.

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kitten heel British  

noun

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

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

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Etymology

Origin of kitten heel

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

Example Sentences

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 • Apr. 17, 2024

"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 • Jan. 16, 2024

Mrs May appears to have used a fat marker pen to draw a kitten heel she was fond of wearing, while Mr Corbyn continued the feline theme with a doodle of an "eternally happy cat".

From BBC • Jun. 18, 2019

“Like the kitten heel, I hate,” Ms. Ora said, cringing.

From New York Times • Jan. 10, 2013

A kitten heel would have been more appropriate, both for the dress and for her age.

From The Guardian • Feb. 28, 2011