sprain
Americanverb (used with object)
-
sprains,
present (3rd person singular)
-
sprained,
past participle, past
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spraining
present participle
noun
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sprains
plural
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a violent straining or wrenching of the parts around a joint, without dislocation.
-
the condition of being sprained.
verb
noun
Synonym Usage
See strain 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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sprainsimple
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sprainssimple
-
have sprainedperfect
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has sprainedperfect
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am sprainingprogressive
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are sprainingprogressive
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is sprainingprogressive
-
have been sprainingperfect progressive
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has been sprainingperfect progressive
Past
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sprainedsimple
-
had sprainedperfect
-
was sprainingprogressive
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were sprainingprogressive
-
had been sprainingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of sprain
First recorded in 1595–1605; origin uncertain
Explanation
To sprain one of your joints is to twist it suddenly. The result is a sprain, in which the ligaments have been injured. Don’t go hiking in high heels because you might sprain your ankle. A sprain — which occurs at joints such as the wrist, elbow, or knee — happens when the ligaments are turned quickly and painfully. After the initial pain, a sprain will swell up. Spraining something is difficult, but things could be worse — a sprained knee will heal quicker than a broken bone.
Vocabulary lists containing sprain
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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:
Tight end Terrance Ferguson sustained an ankle sprain and is probably out against the Eagles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 29, 2026
Plum, who missed three games with a right ankle sprain earlier this season, is out with a lower left leg injury and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, the team announced Wednesday morning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 24, 2026
All-American Yaxel Lendeborg, gutting out a knee sprain, added 13.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 7, 2026
Lyla had already spent more than a year dealing with pain that was initially thought to be a sprain or small fracture.
From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2026
Esther’s black high heels were shaky, and as she walked past, Ifemelu worried that the shoes would collapse and sprain Esther’s ankles.
From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Lower limb injuries including sprains, bone damage and wear and tear of the tendons are common, he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
But the walk-in centre is not for medical emergencies, sprains, repeat prescriptions or long-term conditions.
From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2026
Fact: Back pain is usually caused by muscle strains or sprains, not by a serious condition like a disc or vertebrae issue.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 15, 2025
She said that although it was “probably one of the worst sprains I’ve ever dealt with,” it is “very reasonable” that she could be back to 5-on-5 play by the end of October.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2025
Ankle sprains are very common in soccer, she says, talking fast like she’s in a hurry to show you the x-rays on her iPad.
From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander
“I’m fine. I’ve got a sprained neck, and I’m really in shock and sort of cry all the time, but I’m going to heal.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
In January 1851, Ulysses S. Grant, then an Army quartermaster, slipped on an icy sidewalk in Detroit and sprained his leg.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
Or they didn’t think that the city should be burning tens of millions of dollars to send fire trucks “to every overdose, every sprained ankle, every toothache,” as Mr. Pratt has said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
Thomas was taken to hospital, where he said he was lucky to only suffer "sprained ankles and minor stuff".
From BBC ● Apr. 30, 2026
I’m walking on a sprained ankle, but the pain barely registers.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
Cronin went back to his normal starting lineup with the exception of forward Tyler Bilodeau, who was out after spraining his left knee in practice Thursday.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 22, 2025
Raducanu has not played since spraining ligaments in her foot during a Korea Open quarter-final against Daria Kasatkina on 21 September.
From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2024
Cleveland also lost Mobley, who didn’t return after spraining his left ankle with 5:29 left in the third quarter.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 5, 2024
She hasn’t played for the U.S. since spraining her right knee following the World Cup.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2023
But what about mussing their dresses, what about spraining their ankles on high heels?
From "In the Time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
