Bruise
/bruːz/
Definitions
2 meaningsA discoloration of the skin resulting from broken blood vessels beneath the surface, caused by a blow or injury.
/bruːz/
An injury resulting from a blow or impact.
He had a large bruise on his forehead after the accident.
💡 Simply: A black and blue mark on your skin from a bump or hit.
More Examples
The child's bruise was slowly fading.
How It's Used
"The fall left a nasty bruise on his leg."
"I have a bruise on my arm from bumping into the table."
To injure (something, especially a fruit or vegetable) by crushing or breaking.
/bruːz/
To injure by striking or pressing.
The apples were bruised from the rough handling.
💡 Simply: To hurt something by hitting or squeezing it too hard.
More Examples
He bruised his ribs in the car accident.
How It's Used
"Don't bruise the fruit when you pack it."
"I bruised my knee when I fell."
Middle English *brusen, from Old French *bruisier (to beat, to crush), from brus, the root of both the English words “brush” and “bruise.”
The word has maintained its core meaning of injury through crushing throughout history. Early usages often focused on the injury to fruit and vegetables.
Memory tip
Think of a fruit that's been roughly handled - it gets bruised.
Word Origin
"to beat, crush"