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

Practice with vocabulary wound

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The surgeon carefully inspected the deep _____ on the patient's abdomen for signs of infection.
  2. Prolonged exposure to the harsh criticism began to _____ the team's morale, affecting their overall productivity.
  3. Despite the minor _____, the athlete completed the race, showcasing incredible determination.
  4. The company faced significant financial _____ after the unexpected market downturn, requiring immediate strategic adjustments.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following terms can describe a break in the skin or other body tissue, typically caused by violence or accident? a) bruise b) scar c) injury d) ailment e) wound

  2. The unexpected negative feedback deeply ______ her confidence, making her hesitant to present her ideas. a) affected b) impacted c) boosted d) delighted e) wounded

  3. Which of these words could replace "damaged" in the sentence: "The scandal severely damaged the minister's public image"? a) tarnished b) fortified c) undermined d) healed e) wounded

  4. After several hours of negotiation, the legal teams finally managed to ______ the complex contract details. a) entangle b) simplify c) unwind d) dispute e) complicate

  5. The prolonged illness led to a general ______ of the patient's physical strength over several months. a) restoration b) deterioration c) recuperation d) enhancement e) improvement

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sharp piece of metal caused a serious cut on his hand. (Rewrite the sentence, using a form of "wound".)

  2. Her cutting remarks truly hurt his feelings and left a lasting negative impression. (Rewrite the sentence, using a form of "wound" to express the emotional impact.)

  3. The ongoing disagreement between the department heads prevented any progress on the cross-functional project. (Rewrite the sentence, replacing "disagreement" with a suitable alternative, without using "wound".)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The surgeon carefully inspected the deep wound on the patient's abdomen for signs of infection.
  2. Prolonged exposure to the harsh criticism began to wound the team's morale, affecting their overall productivity.
  3. Despite the minor injury, the athlete completed the race, showcasing incredible determination.
  4. The company faced significant financial struggles after the unexpected market downturn, requiring immediate strategic adjustments.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) injury, e) wound
  2. a) affected, b) impacted, e) wounded
  3. a) tarnished, c) undermined, e) wounded
  4. c) unwind
  5. b) deterioration

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The sharp piece of metal caused a serious wound on his hand.
  2. Her cutting remarks truly wounded his feelings and left a lasting negative impression.
  3. The ongoing dispute between the department heads prevented any progress on the cross-functional project.

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