Injury: meaning, definitions and examples

Refers to physical harm or damage to someone's body, often used in medical or sports situations.

• She suffered a knee injury during the football match.
• The accident resulted in multiple injuries.

A more general term that can refer to physical injury, emotional pain, or any negative impact on well-being.

• Smoking can cause serious harm to your health.
• The malicious rumors did a lot of harm to her reputation.

Often used to describe destruction or harm to objects, property, or systems, rather than living beings.

• The storm caused severe damage to the roof.
• Please handle the equipment carefully to avoid damage.

Specifically refers to an injury where the skin is cut or broken, often used in the context of battle, accidents, or violence.

• He received a deep wound in his arm during the fight.
• The soldier's wounds were treated promptly.

Best used to describe physical damage to a person's body caused by an event or accident.

• She suffered a severe injury in the car accident.
• The athlete recovered quickly from his knee injury.

Often used to describe emotional pain or minor physical discomfort.

• She was deeply hurt by his harsh words.
• His elbow hurt after he bumped it on the table.

Commonly used to describe both physical and emotional damage, with a broad range of applications.

• Smoking can cause long-term harm to your lungs.
• He didn't mean any harm with his comments.

Refers to breaking rules, laws, or agreements, and can describe acts of injustice or breaches of ethics. This term has a negative connotation.

• The company was fined for environmental violations.
• Entering someone's property without permission is considered a violation of their privacy.

Typically used to describe physical harm to the body resulting from an accident, fall, hit, or other external force. It can also be used in a broader sense to describe damage to someone's feelings or reputation.

• He suffered a knee injury during the soccer match.
• Her reputation took a serious injury after the scandal.

This word is used to talk about physical harm to objects, property, or sometimes parts of the body. It can also describe harm to non-physical entities like reputation or relationships.

• The storm caused severe damage to the roof.
• His harsh words did a lot of damage to their friendship.

Refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience and can pertain to physical injury, but is more often used for emotional and psychological harm. It usually implies a significant and lasting impact.

• The soldiers returned home with deep emotional trauma.
• The accident left him with multiple traumas that required surgery.

Specifically denotes an injury in which the skin is broken due to a cut, shot, bite, or other force. It can also metaphorically describe emotional pain.

• The doctor stitched up the wound on his arm.
• She spoke harsh words that left emotional wounds.