Scar: meaning, definitions and examples

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scar

[skɑːr ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

injury

A mark left on the skin after a wound has healed.

Synonyms

blemish, mark, wound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scar	A scar is a mark left on the skin after an injury heals. It's commonly used when describing physical and emotional marks that remain after healing. He has a scar on his cheek from a childhood accident. Her heart carries the scars of past relationships.
mark	Mark is a general term for any spot, line, or area left on a surface. It can refer to both temporary and permanent marks on skin, objects, or even emotional states. He accidentally left a mark on the wall with his jacket. The game left an indelible mark on their friendship.
blemish	Blemish often refers to minor imperfections on the skin, such as pimples or small spots. It can also describe minor flaws in objects or reputations. She uses makeup to cover up blemishes. The paint job had a blemish that needed fixing.
wound	Wound is used to describe an injury, especially one that is open or bleeding. It often conveys a sense of pain or injury, both physical and emotional. The soldier received a serious wound in battle. Her harsh words left him with an emotional wound.

Examples of usage

She had a scar on her cheek from the accident.
The surgery left a small scar on his arm.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

emotional

A lasting effect of a traumatic experience.

Synonyms

impact, trauma, wound.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scar	Refers to a mark left on the skin after an injury has healed. It can also be used metaphorically to refer to long-lasting damage or marks left by emotional or psychological experiences. He has a scar on his arm from the accident. Years after the incident, she still carries the scars of that traumatic event.
trauma	Used to describe a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. It can refer to both physical injuries and emotional or psychological harm. Typically, it carries a negative connotation. He suffered severe trauma after the accident. The experience was so traumatic that she needed therapy.
wound	Usually refers to a physical injury that involves a break in the skin. It can also be used metaphorically to describe emotional hurt. Often, it has a negative connotation. The soldier had a deep wound on his leg. Her harsh words left a wound that took years to heal.
impact	Describes a strong effect or influence that something has on a person or situation. Often used in a positive or neutral sense. The new policy will have a significant impact on the economy. Her words had a profound impact on my perspective.

Examples of usage

The war left deep scars on the survivors.
The breakup left emotional scars on him.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

damage

To mark or mar the surface of something.

Synonyms

blemish, damage, mark.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
scar	A scar is a mark left on the skin after a wound or injury has healed. It is often used in medical or emotional contexts. He has a scar on his cheek from the accident The traumatic experience left an emotional scar
damage	Damage refers to physical harm or destruction that makes something less useful, valuable, or attractive. It is often used in technical or everyday contexts describing objects or property. The storm caused severe damage to the roof The car was damaged in the accident
mark	A mark is a visible trace, sign, or impression on a surface. It is a general term and can refer to anything from a spot or stain to a written symbol. He left a mark on the wall with his pen The teacher put a mark next to the correct answer
blemish	A blemish is a minor flaw or imperfection, often referring to the skin, like a pimple or discoloration. It can also describe a small imperfection in objects. She uses makeup to cover a blemish on her face The table had a small blemish on the surface

Examples of usage

The accident scarred the car's paintwork.
The fire scarred the walls of the building.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'escarre', which means 'to cut off' or 'to scratch'.
In Latin, the root word 'excarrare' means to make a scratch, indicating the origin of the term.

Biology

Scars are formed when the body heals after an injury, and the skin creates new collagen fibers.
Different types of scars include hypertrophic, atrophic, and keloid, each having specific characteristics in appearance.

Cultural Perception

In many cultures, scars are seen as symbols of bravery or survival, telling stories of past experiences.
Some cultures have rituals involving scars, like tribal markings that represent personal journeys or achievements.

Psychology

Scars, both physical and emotional, can affect a person’s self-esteem and body image.
Therapies often focus on acceptance of scars as part of one's identity, promoting healing beyond the physical.

Art and Literature

Scars are frequently used in storytelling as metaphors for personal transformation or the passage of time.
Artists sometimes accentuate scars in their work to challenge notions of beauty and imperfection.

Translations

Translations of the word "scar" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cicatriz

🇮🇳 निशान

🇩🇪 Narbe

🇮🇩 bekas luka

🇺🇦 шрам

🇵🇱 blizna

🇯🇵 傷跡 (きずあと)

🇫🇷 cicatrice

🇪🇸 cicatriz

🇹🇷 yara izi

🇰🇷 흉터

🇸🇦 ندبة

🇨🇿 jizva

🇸🇰 jazva

🇨🇳 疤痕 (bāhén)

🇸🇮 brazgotina

🇮🇸 ör

🇰🇿 тыртық

🇬🇪 ნაიარევი

🇦🇿 iz

🇲🇽 cicatriz

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,138, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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10135 prostate
10136 featuring
10137 tub
10138 scar
10139 cleaner
10140 posterity
10141 correlate
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