Bruise: meaning, definitions and examples

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.