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
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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:
Chargers right tackle Rashawn Slater could be a candidate for injured reserve after sustaining a high ankle sprain against the Seattle Seahawks.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2026
Kevin Durant was ruled out Tuesday because of a left ankle sprain.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 29, 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
A sprain would surely have healed by now.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
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
Matthew Stafford has played nearly 16 NFL seasons, absorbing hits that resulted in broken bones, strains, sprains and bruises.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2024
My mother used the tobacco, leeks, and grasses swimming about the hand to rub our sprains and bruises.
From "The Woman Warrior" by Maxine Hong Kingston
Ian Howard was shocked to get a $1,000 bill for a brief visit to the emergency room that determined he sprained his ankle in a fall last year.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 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
Sparks guard Kelsey Plum, the WNBA’s leading scorer, sprained her ankle during practice and will be reevaluated next week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 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
“And you drove all the way in to have me tell you that you sprained your back and charge you two dollars?”
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
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
Lakers guard Max Christie sat out after spraining his right ankle Thursday against Denver.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 9, 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
Despite spraining his knee late in the first half, Cook shredded the Wildcats’ secondary, throwing for 356 yards and two scores.
From Washington Times ● Sep. 17, 2023
She worried that if either action became routine, she could have a bad accident, spraining an ankle, breaking a bone, or worse.
From "Fablehaven" by Brandon Mull
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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.
