wound

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "wound" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a verb to describe the act of causing an injury with a sharp object or a blow. You can also use it as a noun to describe the resulting injury or an emotional hurt. For example, "The soldier sustained a wound from the enemy's bayonet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Matching Celtic's nine-in-a-row record of Scottish league titles salved the wound on one side.

The Guardian - Sport

To add salt to the wound of those who felt this was wasted cash, despite Sheffield producing many sporting talents in this period (including Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis), Don Valley Stadium, where Ennis trained, finally closed in September 2013 due to extreme financial pressures, and has since been demolished.

The Guardian

She forwarded distressing video purporting to show the aftermath of the blast showed a child a with a wound to her eye being carried at the scene.

The Guardian

Gillard has declared the lack of constitutional acknowledgement an "unhealed wound that even now lies open at the heart of our national story".

The Guardian

Over three decades of work, 113 cases had been resolved by the slowly ageing grandmothers, but despite this, Estela Carlotto's missing grandson remained unaccounted for, which left a deep, unhealed wound in the nation's psyche.

The Guardian

"Just clean the wound and sprinkle it on.

The Guardian

"Some claim that the rest of Europe has been ringfenced from Greece and that the ECB has tools at its disposal to amputate Greece, if need be, cauterise the wound and allow the rest of eurozone to carry on.

The Guardian - Business

The museum's file note reads: "The skull is clearly that of a murder victim, with a bullet entry wound in the back of the skull and an exit wound in the front.

The Guardian

While all this squalor is as unmistakable as a septic wound waved under our noses, there are darker, deeper currents moving within Maupassant's work.

The Guardian - Books

More than once his mother, Gitte Lambrechts, who was a physiotherapist, had to drive him to the hospital: broken ankle bone, jammed finger, handlebar in the groin, a gaping wound in his head after colliding with a chair, and so on.

The Guardian - Sport

A single gunshot wound to the chest meant Martin would never realize his college dreams.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "wound" in a sentence, ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to a physical injury or an emotional hurt. Use specific adjectives to clarify the type of "wound", such as "gunshot wound" or "emotional wound".

Common error

Avoid confusing the noun/verb "wound" with the phrasal verb "wound up", which means to conclude or end up in a particular situation. For example, say "He suffered a leg wound" instead of "He wound up with a leg injury".

Linguistic Context

The word "wound" functions primarily as both a noun, referring to an injury, and a verb, describing the act of inflicting injury. Ludwig AI confirms this dual role, providing numerous examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Books

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "wound" is a versatile term that serves as both a noun, denoting an injury, and a verb, signifying the act of causing harm. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage across diverse contexts. Analysis of example sentences reveals that "wound" frequently appears in news, sports, and literary contexts. While generally neutral in register, specific adjectives can refine its meaning, clarifying whether the reference is to a physical or emotional "." When using "wound", be careful not to confuse it with the phrasal verb "wound up". Remember, choosing synonyms like "injury" or "trauma" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas, and these alternative provides are easily accessible via Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflict injury

Replaces the noun "wound" with the verb "inflict" followed by the noun "injury", emphasizing the action of causing harm.

sustain injury

Focuses on the recipient of the injury rather than the cause, suitable when highlighting the impact on the affected party.

cause harm

Broadens the scope to any type of harm, not just physical injury, maintaining a similar negative connotation.

receive trauma

Emphasizes the traumatic aspect of the injury, implying a lasting impact on the individual.

grievous hurt

Emphasizes the severity and painful nature of the injury.

open sore

Specifically refers to a physical injury that is exposed and potentially vulnerable.

psychological damage

Highlights the mental or emotional harm caused by a distressing event.

emotional scar

Metaphorically describes a lasting emotional impact from a hurtful experience.

affliction

Refers to a state of suffering or distress, which may stem from a physical or emotional injury.

impairment

Describes a condition in which a function or ability is diminished due to injury or damage.

FAQs

How can I use "wound" in a sentence?

As a noun, "wound" refers to an injury. For example, "The soldier suffered a serious "battle wound"". As a verb, it means to inflict an injury. For example, "The sharp object can "easily wound"".

What are some synonyms for "wound"?

Some synonyms for "wound" include "injury", "lesion", and "trauma" for physical injuries. For emotional injuries, you can use "hurt", "pain", or "affliction".

What's the difference between "wound" and "injury"?

"Wound" typically refers to a specific instance of damage to the body, often involving a cut or piercing. "Injury" is a broader term that can include wounds but also encompasses other types of harm like sprains or fractures.

Is it correct to use "wound" to describe emotional pain?

Yes, "wound" can be used metaphorically to describe emotional or psychological pain. For example, "His harsh words inflicted a deep emotional "wound"".