bruise

[ brooz ]

verb (used with object)

, bruised, bruis·ing.

1. to injure by striking or pressing, without breaking the skin:

   The blow bruised his arm. Her pinching bruised the peaches.

2. to injure or hurt slightly, as with an insult or unkind remark:

   to bruise a person's feelings.

3. to crush (drugs or food) by beating or pounding.
4. Metalworking. to injure the surface of (an ingot or finished object) by collision.

verb (used without object)

, bruised, bruis·ing.

1. to develop or bear a discolored spot on the skin as the result of a blow, fall, etc.
2. to become injured slightly:

   His feelings bruise easily.

noun

1. an injury due to bruising; contusion.

bruise

/ bruːz /

verb

1. also intr to injure (tissues) without breaking the skin, usually with discoloration, or (of tissues) to be injured in this way
2. to offend or injure (someone's feelings) by an insult, unkindness, etc
3. to damage the surface of (something), as by a blow
4. to crush (food, etc) by pounding or pressing

noun

1. a bodily injury without a break in the skin, usually with discoloration; contusion

Other Words From

• un·bruised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bruise¹

before 900; Middle English bro ( o ) sen, bres ( s ) en, bris ( s ) en, bruisen, representing Old English brȳsan, brēsan and Anglo-French bruser, Old French bruisier, akin to briser to break; brisance

Word History and Origins

Origin of bruise¹

Old English brӯsan , of Celtic origin; compare Irish brūigim I bruise

Example Sentences

A different woman living in a group home showed up to a day program with a bruise under her eye.

From ProPublica

She had a bruise under her eye when she went to her day program.

From ProPublica

Something to soak inNo matter how well you balance and how many pads you wear, you’re bound to pick up a few gnarly bruises as you learn to skate.

From Popular-Science

This Spigen Rugged Armor band and case is going to protect a smartwatch from any scrapes, scratches, bruises, or bumps that might occur.

From Popular-Science

This kit doesn’t just help you prepare for scrapes and bruises.

From Popular-Science

Apparently there was a sex scene that was cut from the film with you and Kate Upton that left you with a huge bruise on your ass?

From The Daily Beast

In contrast to gentle Eva, Naps liked to draw a little blood in bed, to bruise and be bruised in return.

From The Daily Beast

As Obama and others press to raise the federal minimum wage about $7.25, skeptics say such a move could bruise the economy.

From The Daily Beast

So she got smacked and got a big bruise that she was very proud of.

From The Daily Beast

A woman in a cupcake of a wedding dress, with her wedding party behind her, stands against a frighteningly bruise-hued sky.

From The Daily Beast

Many of us had been hit by the balls, but a bruise or a graze of the skin was the worst consequence that had ensued.

From Project Gutenberg

Whether it was rheumatism or a bruise or strain he did not know, but by the time he reached the river he was ready to drop.

From Project Gutenberg

And he spurred away headlong, his bruise nowhere, one horrible thought mastering all.

From Project Gutenberg

Men like me dont bruise— he hesitated a moment, patted her hand, and said softly, guardian angels.

From Project Gutenberg

When I came to myself, I was lying on my back in the grass, feeling a dull ache all over me, as from a bad bruise.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bang up
• batter
• blacken
• crush
• injure
• mar
• wound