bruise

7 synonyms and 1 antonym for bruise, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A discoloured mark on the skin caused by a blow that damages blood vessels underneath without breaking the surface.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

hurt wound

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

offend spite

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

contusion injure contuse

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A discoloured mark on the skin caused by a blow that damages blood vessels underneath without breaking the surface.

“He had a nasty bruise on his shin from bumping into the table.”

contusion

2. verb

To cause this kind of mark by striking or knocking something.

“She bruised her arm falling off her bike.”

injure offend spite hurt contuse wound

Opposites

heal

How to use bruise

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

bruise easily bruised ego a bad bruise

Etymology

From Old English brȳsan, "to crush", blended with a related Old French word for breaking or smashing something.

Full origin of bruise →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bruise” mean?

The word “bruise” means a discoloured mark on the skin caused by a blow that damages blood vessels underneath without breaking the surface. In plain terms, a dark mark left on skin (or fruit) by an impact, or the act of causing one — also used figuratively for hurt feelings.

How do you pronounce “bruise”?

“Bruise” is pronounced brooz (/bɹuːz/ in IPA).

How do you use “bruise” in a sentence?

Here is “bruise” used in a sentence: “He had a nasty bruise on his shin from bumping into the table.”

What is another word for “bruise”?

Words with a similar meaning to “bruise” include contusion.

What part of speech is “bruise”?

Depending on how it is used, “bruise” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “bruise” come from?

The word “bruise” comes from Old French. From Old English brȳsan, "to crush", blended with a related Old French word for breaking or smashing something.

Is “bruise” a common word?

“Bruise” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “bruise” have?

“Bruise” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a discoloured mark on the skin caused by a blow that damages blood vessels underneath without breaking the surface.

People also searched

hurt wound spite heal offend injure contusion contuse

Nearby words

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