Bruise

/bruːz/

Meaning & Definition

noun
An injury that causes discoloration due to blood vessels breaking beneath the skin.
He had a large bruise on his leg from playing soccer.
A mark, spot, or blemish caused by such an injury.
There was a bruise on the apple that made it look unappetizing.
verb
To injure (a part of the body) without breaking the skin, resulting in a discoloration.
She bruised her arm when she accidentally bumped into the door.
To damage or injure something in a way that affects its appearance or quality.
The fruit was bruised during transportation and could not be sold.

Etymology

Middle English 'bruisen' means to crush or break, from Old French 'bruiser'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

to bruise someone’s ego:
to hurt someone's self-esteem or confidence.
bruised pride:
a feeling of humiliation or embarrassment.
bruised feelings:
emotional hurt resulting from someone's actions or words.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

Keeping it on the down-low
I got a bruise from last night's game, but I’m keeping it on the down-low.
A love bite or hickey
She showed off the bruise on her neck, saying it was just a 'love mark'.