Meaning & use
Bruises
Last updated
Discolored areas of skin caused by blood leaking into tissue after an impact, without breaking the skin.
See it in a sentence
She had bruises on her shin from bumping into the coffee table.
The peach was covered in soft bruises from being dropped in transit.
A note on using this word
A bruise forms when small blood vessels (capillaries) break beneath the skin; the changing colors as it heals — from red to purple to yellowish-green — reflect the body breaking down the leaked blood.
Words with a similar meaning
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Another way to use it
2. verb
To injure tissue so that discoloration appears, or to hurt someone's feelings or pride.
The harsh review bruised his confidence.
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