bruise

A dark mark under your skin caused by a hit or pressure.

• I have a bruise on my knee.
• Her bruises faded after a week.
• Where did you get that large bruise?

How to use it: a bruise on something (He has a bruise on his arm.)

Similar words: contusion

Common phrases: a painful bruise, bruise on something, a purple bruise

To cause, or develop, a dark mark under the skin after a hit or pressure.

• I bruise easily.
• She bruised her knee when she fell.
• The tight strap had bruised his shoulder.

Similar words: contuse

Common phrases: bruise easily, bruise your knee, bruise someone's arm

To develop dark or soft patches when fruit or vegetables are pressed, hit, or handled roughly.

• Ripe peaches bruise easily.
• The apples bruised when they fell from the tree.
• These pears will bruise if you pack them too tightly.

Common phrases: bruise easily, bruise during transport, bruise when dropped

To hurt someone's feelings or make them feel less confident or proud.

• His comment bruised her pride.
• The rejection bruised my confidence for a while.
• Try to correct him without bruising his ego.

Similar words: hurt, wound

Common phrases: bruise someone's ego, bruise someone's pride, bruise someone's feelings