verb
sprain
sprayn
Sprain (verb) means to injure a joint or ligament by twisting it too far without dislocating it. Example: “She sprained her ankle stepping off the curb.”
verb
1
To injure a joint or ligament by twisting it too far without dislocating it.
"She sprained her ankle stepping off the curb."
"He sprained his wrist trying to break his fall."
noun
1
The injury caused by twisting a joint or ligament this way.
"The doctor confirmed it was just a mild sprain, not a fracture."
How to use sprain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo twist or overstretch a joint (like an ankle or wrist) without breaking a bone, or the resulting injury.
Common mistake
A sprain injures ligaments around a joint; a strain injures a muscle or tendon — they aren’t quite the same thing.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
sprain an ankle
a mild sprain
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like sprain.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- sprains
- Third person singular
- sprains
- Past tense
- sprained
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ her ankle stepping off the curb.
Etymology
Possibly from Middle French espraindre ("to wring, press out"), from Latin exprimere — the same root as "express".
Related words
Rhymes for sprain
See all rhymes for sprain →Frequently asked questions
What does “sprain” mean?
The word “sprain” means to injure a joint or ligament by twisting it too far without dislocating it. In plain terms, to twist or overstretch a joint (like an ankle or wrist) without breaking a bone, or the resulting injury.
How do you pronounce “sprain”?
“Sprain” is pronounced sprayn (/spɹeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “sprain” in a sentence?
Here is “sprain” used in a sentence: “She sprained her ankle stepping off the curb.”
What part of speech is “sprain”?
Depending on how it is used, “sprain” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “sprain” come from?
The word “sprain” comes from Latin. Possibly from Middle French espraindre ("to wring, press out"), from Latin exprimere — the same root as "express".
How many meanings does “sprain” have?
“Sprain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to injure a joint or ligament by twisting it too far without dislocating it.
