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injury

physical harm / bodily damage

/ˈɪn.dʒə.ɹi/

[C/U] Both
pl: injuries

In a physical context, this word describes the actual damage sustained by the body. It is more clinical than "hurt" and often implies a specific site of trauma (e.g., a knee injury). While "wound" usually suggests an open break in the skin, "injury" covers everything from internal sprains to broken bones. In a legal or social context, it shifts toward a sense of violation or loss. Here, it describes a wrong committed against someone's rights, reputation, or well-being. It carries a heavier weight of injustice than a simple "mistake," suggesting that a corrective action (redress) is necessary to restore balance.

Countable when referring to a specific wound or a distinct act of injustice ('a knee injury', 'multiple injuries'). Uncountable when discussing the general concept of harm or legal damage ('the risk of injury', 'causing injury to another').

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon in the university library, Chloe is procrastinating on a paper.
Chloe Smith

Can't make it to gym. My ankle injury is acting up again.

Chloe Smith
Fatima
Fatima

You're just flaking because you haven't started that essay.

💡
Chloe uses a recurring physical injury as an excuse to avoid exercise, while Fatima uses the slang 'flaking' (canceling plans last minute) to call out Chloe's lack of discipline regarding her studies.

Meanings

Nounphysical harm

Physical harm or damage to someone's body.

"He suffered a serious head injury in the car accident."

Nounbodily damage

An instance of unfair or unjust treatment; an injustice.

"The court sought to redress the injury done to the plaintiff's reputation."

Etymology

Derived from the Old French injurie, which evolved from the Latin injuria, meaning an offense or wrong. The Latin root is a combination of in- meaning not and jus meaning right or law, literally translating to an act that is not right or is contrary to the law. Over time, the term expanded from purely legal wrongs to include physical harm to the body.

Related Words

Last Updated: June 8, 2026Report an Error