Trauma: meaning, definitions and examples

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trauma

[ ˈtraʊmə ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

mental health

Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have long-term psychological effects on a person. It can result from various events such as violence, abuse, accidents, or natural disasters.

Synonyms

anguish, distress, suffering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
trauma	This term is often used in a medical or psychological context to describe a serious injury or severe emotional shock. It refers to both physical injuries and emotional impact after a distressing event. She needed therapy to deal with the trauma of the car accident. The soldiers returned home carrying the trauma of war.
distress	Distress is a general term used to describe discomfort or suffering. It can be used in both physical and emotional contexts, and it often indicates a state of anxiety or worry. The news of the disaster brought considerable distress to the community. She was in visible distress after hearing about the accident.
anguish	Anguish is a strong word used to describe extreme suffering, usually of an emotional or mental nature. It conveys a sense of intense pain and suffering. He was in deep anguish after the loss of his job. The mother's anguish was palpable as she searched for her missing child.
suffering	Suffering is a broad term that refers to the experience of pain, hardship, or distress. It can be physical, emotional, or mental and is often used in discussions about enduring hardships or chronic issues. She dedicated her life to alleviating the suffering of others. The people of the war-torn region have endured endless suffering.

Examples of usage

The trauma from the car accident left her with anxiety and nightmares.
Experiencing trauma can lead to symptoms such as flashbacks and difficulty concentrating.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

medicine

In the medical field, trauma specifically refers to physical injuries caused by external forces. This can include wounds, fractures, or other harm to the body.

Synonyms

damage, harm, injury.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
trauma	Used to describe a severe emotional or physical injury often with long-term effects. Typically related to intense experiences such as accidents, wars, or psychological abuse. She needed therapy to recover from the trauma of the car accident The soldiers experienced psychological trauma after returning from war
injury	Refers explicitly to physical harm to a body part. Often used in medical or sports contexts. He had a knee injury after falling during the game The doctor treated her for a back injury
damage	Indicates physical harm that impairs the function or appearance of something. Commonly used for objects, but can also describe harm to reputation or relationships. The roof suffered damage during the storm His reputation took significant damage due to the scandal
harm	General term for causing physical or emotional injury. Can be used in various informal or formal contexts. Smoking can cause harm to your lungs His rude comments did a lot of harm to their friendship

Examples of usage

The hospital's trauma center is equipped to handle serious injuries.
First responders are trained to provide immediate care to trauma patients.

Translations

Translations of the word "trauma" in other languages:

🇵🇹 trauma

🇮🇳 आघात

🇩🇪 Trauma

🇮🇩 trauma

🇺🇦 травма

🇵🇱 uraz

🇯🇵 トラウマ

🇫🇷 traumatisme

🇪🇸 trauma

🇹🇷 travma

🇰🇷 트라우마

🇸🇦 صدمة

🇨🇿 trauma

🇸🇰 trauma

🇨🇳 创伤

🇸🇮 travma

🇮🇸 áfall

🇰🇿 жарақат

🇬🇪 ტრავმა

🇦🇿 travma

🇲🇽 trauma

Etymology

The word 'trauma' comes from the Greek term 'trauma', meaning wound or injury. It has been used in the English language since the late 17th century to describe both physical and psychological distress.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,056 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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