What is wound? Pronunciation and usage in English

wound means . Learn how to pronounce and use wound through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of wound

woundnoun

/wuːnd/
Definition & pronunciation of wound

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "wound." It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "Wound" is pronounced like "woond." It's very similar to the word "moon" but with a "d" at the end.

2. Syllable Breakdown:

  • It's one syllable. You don't really emphasize one part of the word more than the other.

3. Phonetic Transcription (for accuracy):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /wuːnd/

    • "w": A regular "w" sound (like in "water") – /w/
    • "oo": The "oo" sound, as in "moon" or "food" – /uː/ (a long “oo” sound – hold it a little longer than a short "oo")
    • "nd": The "nd" sound – /nd/

4. Tips for Saying it Right:

  • Focus on the "oo" sound: This is the key. Make it a long, drawn-out "oo" sound, like you're saying "moon."
  • Don't add an extra syllable: Avoid saying something like "wun-d" – it's not correct.
  • The "nd" is a single sound: It's not pronounced separately.

Resources for Hearing it:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "wound"?

Usage and examples with the word wound in English

Let's break down how to use the word "wound" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Physical Injury (Most Common Meaning)

  • Definition: A cut, injury, or sore in the body.
  • Examples:
    • "He received a deep wound when he fell off the ladder."
    • "The doctor cleaned the wound and applied a bandage."
    • "She had a small wound on her knee from scraping it."
    • "The soldier suffered a serious wound in battle."

2. A State of Suffering or Distress (Figurative)

  • Definition: A cause of pain, sorrow, or misfortune. Often used more poetically or emotionally.
  • Examples:
    • "The war left a wound in his heart that never healed." (referring to emotional pain)
    • "Her father's death left a deep wound in her family."
    • "The company's mismanagement created a wound in its reputation."
    • "The economy is still recovering from the wound of the recession."

3. A Surgical Cut (Medical)

  • Definition: An incision made during surgery.
  • Examples:
    • "The surgeon made a small wound to access the damaged organ."
    • "The patient’s wound needed to be stitched closed."

4. To Damage or Injure (Verb - Past Tense/Past Participle)

  • Definition: To inflict an injury or harm upon.
  • Examples:
    • “The stray dog wound up in the alley.” (meaning it ended up there)
    • “The hurricane wound its way up the coast.” (meaning it moved along)
    • “He wound his way through the crowded streets.” (meaning he navigated)
    • “The path wound around the bend.” (meaning it curved)

5. A Spiral of Events (Figurative - Verb)

  • Definition: To develop in a twisting or curving way. Often referring to a negative or troubling situation.
  • Examples:
    • "The rumors wound their way through the office." (meaning they spread)
    • “His debts began to wound his finances.” (meaning they caused increasing problems)

Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "wound" depends heavily on the context.
  • Formal vs. Informal: "Wound" is generally considered a more formal word than "hurt."
  • Plural: The plural of "wound" is “wounds”.

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to do with the word "wound"? (e.g., write a story, answer a question on a test, just generally understand it better?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you're considering using "wound"?

Synonyms for the word wound

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