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
The basketball player bruised his knee during the game. [bruised: past tense verb]
ecchymosis
Example
The patient had extensive ecchymosis on their leg after the car accident. [ecchymosis: noun]
Example
The boxer's face showed signs of ecchymosis after the intense fight. [ecchymotic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bruise is much more commonly used than ecchymosis in everyday language. Bruise is a familiar term that is widely understood and used by people of all backgrounds. On the other hand, ecchymosis is a more specialized term that is primarily used in medical or formal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bruise and ecchymosis?
While bruise is a versatile word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, ecchymosis is more formal and typically used in medical or technical discussions.
