Bruise Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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bruise

[bruːz ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

medical

An injury appearing as an area of discolored skin on the body, caused by a blow or impact rupturing underlying blood vessels.

Synonyms

black-and-blue mark, contusion, ecchymosis.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bruise	Commonly used in everyday conversation to refer to any discolored area on the skin caused by an injury. He got a bruise on his arm after bumping into the door She fell off her bike and ended up with bruises on her legs
contusion	A medical term often used by healthcare professionals to describe bruises, typically in a clinical or formal setting. The report stated that the patient had a contusion on the right thigh The doctor checked for any signs of contusion after the accident
black-and-blue mark	More descriptive and informal, often used to emphasize the appearance of the bruise being dark and prominent. After the soccer game, John had a huge black-and-blue mark on his shin She pointed to the black-and-blue mark on her arm and winced
ecchymosis	A technical and medical term used to describe a large bruise or skin discoloration caused by subcutaneous bleeding, typically in clinical documents or scientific literature. The nurse noted a significant area of ecchymosis on the patient's abdomen Ecchymosis is often checked for to assess internal injuries

Examples of usage

The bruise on her arm is starting to fade.
He had a huge bruise on his leg after falling down the stairs.
The doctor examined the bruise to determine the extent of the injury.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

physical

To injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of the body without breaking the skin, typically causing discoloration and pain.

Synonyms

batter, contuse, pummel.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
bruise	Used mostly to describe a skin injury that causes discoloration due to broken blood vessels under the skin. It is generally the result of a minor trauma or impact. She got a nasty bruise on her arm after bumping into the table. The fruit is fresh, but it has a few bruises.
contuse	A medical term mainly used by healthcare professionals. It refers to the action of causing a bruise or a more severe injury to tissue without breaking the skin. The athlete's leg was contused in the accident. Contusion of the brain can be a serious medical condition.
batter	Typically used to describe a more severe and repeated physical attack causing injury. This term can also be used in a legal or more formal context when discussing abuse. The waves battered the coastline relentlessly. The victim was battered by the assailant during the robbery.
pummel	Used to describe repeated and aggressive hitting, often with one's fists. It usually conveys an intense and violent action and can have a negative connotation. The boxer pummeled his opponent with a series of rapid punches. Storms pummeled the town, causing widespread damage.

Examples of usage

She bruised her knee when she fell off her bike.
He accidentally bruised his hand while hammering nails.
The boxer bruised his opponent with a powerful punch.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'bruise'

The word 'bruise' originated from Middle English 'brusen', which meant 'to crush' or 'to injure'. It has been used to describe injuries caused by blows or impacts since the 13th century. Bruises are often associated with discoloration and pain, and they are a common result of physical trauma.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,308, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

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18305 bible
18306 jurist
18307 artful
18308 bruise
18309 impeach
18310 healer
18311 undeniably
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