Hurt
/hɜːrt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo inflict physical pain or injury.
/hɜːrt/
To cause physical pain or injury to someone or something.
She hurt her back lifting the heavy box.
💡 Simply: When you accidentally bump into something and it makes you feel pain, that's being hurt! Like when you fall and scrape your knee—ouch!
👶 For kids: To make someone or something feel pain, like when you fall and scrape your knee.
More Examples
The accident hurt the car.
He hurt his pride by failing the test.
How It's Used
"The fall hurt his knee."
"He hurt his finger while chopping vegetables."
To cause emotional pain or suffering.
/hɜːrt/
To cause emotional pain or distress.
Her insensitive comment hurt his feelings.
💡 Simply: When someone says or does something that makes you feel sad or bad inside, that's hurting your feelings! Like when someone doesn't invite you to their party.
👶 For kids: To make someone feel sad or have their feelings get hurt.
More Examples
He didn't mean to hurt her with his jokes.
The breakup hurt her deeply.
How It's Used
"His harsh words hurt her feelings."
"She was hurt by his betrayal."
Physical injury or pain.
/hɜːrt/
The doctor examined the area to find the source of the hurt.
💡 Simply: When you feel pain from getting injured, it's called a hurt! Like when your tummy feels owie.
👶 For kids: When something hurts, it's called a hurt.
More Examples
He tried to ignore the constant hurt in his knee.
She felt a deep hurt in her chest.
How It's Used
"He complained of a sharp hurt in his chest."
"She described the hurt as a dull ache."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
in pain
Experiencing physical suffering.
"The injured athlete was in a lot of pain."
From Middle English hurten, hirten, from Old French hurter ('to strike, knock').
The word 'hurt' has existed since Old English, often referring to physical injury or harm.
Memory tip
Think of a sprained ankle – that's a hurt.
Word Origin
"to strike, knock"