What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bruise
Example
She had a bruise on her arm from bumping into the table. [bruise: noun]
Example
He accidentally bruised his leg when he fell down the stairs. [bruised: past tense verb]
contusion
Example
The doctor diagnosed him with a contusion after examining his swollen ankle. [contusion: noun]
Example
She suffered a contusion on her chest after being hit by a baseball. [contusion: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bruise is more commonly used than contusion in everyday language. Bruise is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while contusion is primarily used in medical or scientific settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bruise and contusion?
While bruise is used in both formal and informal contexts, contusion is a more formal term typically used in medical or scientific contexts.
