trauma

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A deeply upsetting experience that leaves lasting emotional damage.

   Grammar: Uncountable in general; countable for a specific event: a childhood trauma.

   Patterns

   • trauma from something
   • the trauma of something

   The survivors were treated for the trauma of the earthquake.

   Childhood trauma can affect people for many years.

   She rarely talks about the trauma she lived through.

2. 2noununcountablemedical

   A serious physical injury to the body, often from an accident.

   Grammar: Medical use: head trauma.

   Patterns

   • trauma to something

   The patient suffered blunt trauma in the crash.

   Trauma to the head requires an immediate scan.

   The hospital has a special trauma unit for accidents.

Word forms

Common combinations

childhood trauma

Childhood trauma shaped his fear of crowds.

emotional trauma

The move caused emotional trauma for the kids.

head trauma

The boxer suffered head trauma.

trauma center

The injured driver was taken to a trauma center.

overcome trauma

Therapy helped her overcome trauma.

Synonyms and how they differ

shock

Shock is a sudden upset that may pass, while trauma implies lasting damage.

ordeal

An ordeal is a hard experience, not the lasting effect it leaves.

injury

Injury is any physical harm, while trauma suggests serious harm.

distress

Distress is milder suffering and does not require a specific event.

Opposites

Word family

traumatic adjective

deeply disturbing

traumatize verb

to cause lasting distress

traumatized adjective

badly affected by distress

traumatology noun

the study of serious injuries

Commonly confused: trauma or drama?

Practice

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