What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
weal
Example
The weal on his arm showed where he had been hit. [weal: noun]
Example
She developed a weal on her leg after being bitten by a mosquito. [weal: noun]
bruise
Example
He had a large bruise on his thigh from falling off his bike. [bruise: noun]
Example
She bruised her arm when she bumped into the door. [bruised: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bruise is more commonly used than weal in everyday language. Bruise is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while weal is less common and has specific medical connotations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between weal and bruise?
While weal is typically associated with a formal or medical tone, bruise is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.