wound

Pluralwounds

Formswounds, wounding, wounded

1. 1
   nouncountable

   An injury where the skin or body is cut, torn, or broken open, for example by a knife or bullet.

   Like a tear in a piece of cloth, but in your skin.

   The nurse cleaned the wound and put a bandage on it.

   His wounds healed slowly after the surgery.

   UsageSay it to rhyme with tuned, not sound.

   Similarinjury, cut, gash

   Note
2. 2
   injureverbtransitive

   To hurt someone by cutting, stabbing, or tearing their skin.

   A piece of glass can wound your foot if you step on it.

   The soldier was wounded in the leg during the battle.

   UsageOften wounded in a part of the body: wounded in the leg.

   Similarhurt, injure, harm

   Oppositeheal

   Note
3. 3
   WOWND/waʊnd/

   twisted roundverb

   Past tense and past participle of wind. Use this form for something that was twisted, turned, or coiled in the past.

   She wound the clock carefully before going to bed.

   He wound the rope around the post and tied it tight.

   UsageSay it to rhyme with sound.

   Note
4. 4
   emotional painnounfigurativelycountable

   Deep hurt to someone's feelings, good name, or future chances.

   Like a cut you can't see, deep inside your heart.

   The cruel joke left a wound that lasted for years.

   Old family wounds reopened at the funeral.

   UsageOld wounds can heal or reopen.

   Similarscar, hurt, injury, blow, trauma

   Note
5. 5
   hurt feelingsverbtransitive

   To say or do something that hurts someone's feelings.

   Like pressing on a sore spot, but with words.

   Harsh words can wound a child more than you think.

   Her cold reply wounded him deeply.

   UsageOften his pride was wounded or her feelings were wounded.

   Similarhurt, offend, insult, slight, affront

   Oppositecomfort

   Note

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