injury

[in-juh-ree]

noun

plural

injuries 

1. harm or damage that is done or sustained.

   to escape without injury.

   Synonyms: mischief, impairment, ruin, destruction
   Antonyms: benefit

2. a particular form or instance of harm.

   an injury to one's shoulder; an injury to one's pride.

3. wrong or injustice done or suffered.

4. Law.,  any wrong or violation of the rights, property, reputation, etc., of another for which legal action to recover damages may be made.

5. Obsolete.,  injurious speech; calumny.

injury

/ ˈɪndʒərɪ /

noun

1. physical damage or hurt

2. a specific instance of this

   a leg injury

3. harm done to a reputation

4. law a violation or infringement of another person's rights that causes him harm and is actionable at law

5. an obsolete word for insult

Other Word Forms

• noninjury noun
• reinjury noun
• self-injury noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of injury¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English injurie, from Latin injūria “unlawful conduct, injustice,” equivalent to in- in- ³ + jūr-, stem of jūs “right, law” ( jus, just ¹ ) + -ia -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of injury¹

C14: from Latin injūria injustice, wrong, from injūriōsus acting unfairly, wrongful, from _in- ¹ + jūs right

Idioms and Phrases

see add insult to injury.

Synonym Study

Injury, hurt, wound refer to impairments or wrongs. Injury, originally denoting a wrong done or suffered, is hence used for any kind of evil, impairment, or loss, caused or sustained: physical injury; injury to one's reputation. Hurt suggests especially physical injury, often bodily injury attended with pain: a bad hurt from a fall. A wound is usually a physical hurt caused by cutting, shooting, etc., or an emotional hurt: a serious wound in the shoulder; to inflict a wound by betraying someone's trust.

Example Sentences

It was his mother who first suggested he write books to “stop him from pouting” after he was sidelined with an injury from the University of Notre Dame track and field team.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Tampa Bay has had injuries, too, and some young replacements have stepped up.

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Snoeijs is healthy now, aside from a few niggling hip injuries, and her heart is screened every few years.

Read more on BBC

Brandon Marsh added insult to injury with a sacrifice fly in the next at-bat.

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Six passengers and the train conductor suffered minor injuries.

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Related Words

• abuse 
• bruise 
• burn 
• cramp 
• cut 
• damage 
• fracture 
• laceration 
• loss 
• scar 
• shock 
• sore 
• sprain 
• suffering 
• swelling 
• trauma 
• wound