contusion
Americannoun
-
contusions
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of contusion
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin contūsiōn-, stem of contūsiō; equivalent to contuse + -ion
Compare meaning
How does contusion compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Contusion is really just a fancy word for a bad bruise. Professional athletes are often benched suffering from contusions. After all, if they're being paid millions, it sounds kinda wimpy to pull them because they're suffering from a...bruise. A contusion is any damage to the body that doesn't break the skin but ruptures the blood capillaries beneath, resulting in a handsome-looking discoloration. For once, it's a medical term not used widely to describe a broader emotional or psychological state. You could talk about an "emotional contusion," but please, better not to. There are better terms around (see heartbroken, wounded, forlorn, etc.). Your audience will thank you.
Vocabulary lists containing contusion
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
After starring in the opener with 13 points and a steal against the Warriors, Williams missed the last two games because of a foot contusion.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026
With Lakers rookie guard Cameron Carr unable to play because of a right thumb contusion, Kaluma took over the scoring role.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
He was sidelined for Game 1 because of a knee contusion he picked up in practice.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2026
Durant, who missed Game 1 because of a knee contusion, suffered the latest injury in the fourth quarter of Game 2.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2026
Half was a purple contusion that hung in strips like a shredded mask.
From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs
It is not quite the classic meet-cute, though cute enough, contusions aside: Stan is less concerned about his head than with the location of Cynthia’s bathroom.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 23, 2025
His security guard said he suffered back injuries as well as lacerations and contusions.
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2025
Of the 59 injuries Zagelbaum chronicled, 30 were abrasions or lacerations to the eyelid, 17 contusions to the eyelid or periorbital region, seven were corneal abrasions, three were orbital fractures and two were unspecified.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2024
The many serious patients they send straight to a stabilization clinic, but here they treat many concussions, contusions and frostbite.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 24, 2023
“Yeah. I’m fine. A little sore and scratched up from where I got thrown into some bushes, but no contusions or signs of internal bleeding.”
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
