What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contusion
Example
The athlete suffered a contusion on his leg after colliding with another player. [contusion: noun]
Example
The doctor examined the contused area and prescribed some pain medication. [contused: past participle]
wound
Example
The soldier sustained a gunshot wound to his arm. [wound: noun]
Example
She carefully cleaned and dressed the wounded area to prevent infection. [wounded: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Wound is more commonly used than contusion in everyday language, especially in medical contexts. Contusion is a more technical term and is less commonly used in everyday conversation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contusion and wound?
Contusion is a more formal term than wound, which is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
