These words describe how a person feels when something is wrong with the body, or what happened to cause the problem. Some words name a symptom, like a headache or a cough. Others name an injury, like a cut or a sprain. People use them in everyday talk, in a clinic, and in emergency situations. In a health context, they often appear in sentences like I have + symptom or I got + injury. For broader health language, see Health Scenario Content.

A cut is an opening in the skin made by something sharp. A scrape is a shallow injury that removes the top layer of skin, often after a fall. A wound is a general word for damaged skin or flesh, and it is often used for more serious injuries than a small cut. A gash is a deep, wide cut. When skin breaks, it can bleed. People say I cut my finger, I scraped my knee, or He has a wound on his arm. Words for the body are easier to use when you know the parts in Body Parts.

bandagewoundopen woundgashscrapecutbleedingscar

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A scrape is a minor injury that rubs off the top layer of skinAn open wound is a place where the skin is broken and not closedA cut is a small opening in the skin made by something sharpA wound is a general injury where the skin is damagedA bandage is a strip of material used to cover and protect an injuryA scar is a mark left after a wound healsBleeding means blood is coming out of a cut or injuryA gash is a deep cut that is often long and serious

Words for broken skin and bleeding

Word	Definition
cut	A cut is a small opening in the skin made by something sharp.
scrape	A scrape is a minor injury that rubs off the top layer of skin.
wound	A wound is a general injury where the skin is damaged.
gash	A gash is a deep cut that is often long and serious.
bleeding	Bleeding means blood is coming out of a cut or injury.
open wound	An open wound is a place where the skin is broken and not closed.
scar	A scar is a mark left after a wound heals.
bandage	A bandage is a strip of material used to cover and protect an injury.

Scramble

A bruise is a dark mark on the skin after a hit or a fall. The skin may look blue, purple, or brown as it heals. Swelling means a part of the body becomes larger than normal because of fluid or injury. Puffy describes a swollen face, eyes, or hands. A hematoma is a blood collection under the skin or inside the body after an injury, and it is a medical word. People say My ankle is swollen or I have a bruise on my arm. These injuries often happen after exercise or a fall, so Exercise and Movement can also be useful.

swollentenderpuffyhematomaswellingblack eyesorebruise

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A bruise is a dark mark on the skin after a hit or fallIf a body part is tender, it is painful when you touch itA hematoma is a larger collection of blood under the skin after injuryA black eye is a bruise around the eye from an impactPuffy means slightly swollen and soft-lookingIf a place is sore, it hurts and feels uncomfortableIf something is swollen, it is larger than normal because it is injured or irritatedSwelling is when a part of the body gets bigger because of injury or illness

Words for bruises and swollen areas

Word	Definition
bruise	A bruise is a dark mark on the skin after a hit or fall.
swelling	Swelling is when a part of the body gets bigger because of injury or illness.
swollen	If something is swollen, it is larger than normal because it is injured or irritated.
puffy	Puffy means slightly swollen and soft-looking.
hematoma	A hematoma is a larger collection of blood under the skin after injury.
black eye	A black eye is a bruise around the eye from an impact.
tender	If a body part is tender, it is painful when you touch it.
sore	If a place is sore, it hurts and feels uncomfortable.

Scramble

A fracture is a broken bone. In everyday English, people usually say broken bone instead of fracture. A sprain is an injury to a joint, especially the ligaments around the joint, often in the ankle, wrist, or knee. A sprain hurts, swells, and makes movement difficult, but the bone is not broken. People say She broke her wrist or He sprained his ankle. The pattern I broke + body part and I sprained + body part is common in health conversations.

castjoint painankle injurycrutchsprainfracturebroken boneX ray

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An ankle injury is any damage to the ankle from twisting or impactA sprain is an injury to a joint caused by stretching or tearing ligamentsJoint pain is pain in the place where two bones meetA cast is a hard cover that holds a broken bone still while it healsA crutch is a support used for walking when a leg is injuredA fracture is a broken boneAn X ray is an image that helps doctors see inside the bodyA broken bone is a bone that has cracked or separated

Words for bone and joint injuries

Word	Definition
fracture	A fracture is a broken bone.
broken bone	A broken bone is a bone that has cracked or separated.
sprain	A sprain is an injury to a joint caused by stretching or tearing ligaments.
ankle injury	An ankle injury is any damage to the ankle from twisting or impact.
joint pain	Joint pain is pain in the place where two bones meet.
cast	A cast is a hard cover that holds a broken bone still while it heals.
crutch	A crutch is a support used for walking when a leg is injured.
X ray	An X ray is an image that helps doctors see inside the body.

Scramble

A strain is an injury from stretching or tearing a muscle or tendon. A pulled muscle is the common everyday phrase for this kind of strain. A cramp is a sudden tight, painful contraction of a muscle, often in the leg or foot. A tendon connects muscle to bone, and tendon pain is pain where that connection is hurt or irritated. People say I strained my back, I pulled a muscle in my leg, or I have a cramp in my calf.

overuse injurymuscle achetendon paintightstraincramppulled musclestiff

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If a body part is stiff, it does not move easilyA pulled muscle is a muscle that has been stretched or tornA strain is an injury from stretching a muscle or tendon too farIf a muscle feels tight, it feels stiff and not relaxedA cramp is a sudden tight pain in a muscleTendon pain is pain in the strong tissue that connects muscle to boneA muscle ache is a dull pain in a muscleAn overuse injury is damage caused by repeating the same movement too much

Words for muscle and tendon injuries

Word	Definition
strain	A strain is an injury from stretching a muscle or tendon too far.
pulled muscle	A pulled muscle is a muscle that has been stretched or torn.
cramp	A cramp is a sudden tight pain in a muscle.
tendon pain	Tendon pain is pain in the strong tissue that connects muscle to bone.
muscle ache	A muscle ache is a dull pain in a muscle.
tight	If a muscle feels tight, it feels stiff and not relaxed.
stiff	If a body part is stiff, it does not move easily.
overuse injury	An overuse injury is damage caused by repeating the same movement too much.

Scramble

A burn is an injury caused by heat, fire, electricity, chemicals, or strong sunlight. A small burn can make the skin red and painful, while a worse burn can damage deeper layers of skin. A blister is a small bubble of fluid on the skin, often from a burn or friction. A scald is a burn caused by hot water or steam. Sunburn is skin damage from the sun. People say I burned my hand, I got a blister, or She has sunburn on her shoulders. Heat injuries are common in the kitchen, outdoors, and in summer.

cool downsunburnrednessscaldburnhot spotblisterfirst degree burn

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A first degree burn is a mild burn that affects the top layer of skinTo cool down is to make a burn feel less hotA scald is a burn caused by hot liquid or steamRedness is a red change in the skin after irritation or injurySunburn is red and painful skin caused by too much sunA blister is a small bubble of fluid on the skinA hot spot is an area of skin that feels warmer than usualA burn is an injury to the skin caused by heat or fire

Words for heat and sun injuries

Word	Definition
burn	A burn is an injury to the skin caused by heat or fire.
blister	A blister is a small bubble of fluid on the skin.
scald	A scald is a burn caused by hot liquid or steam.
sunburn	Sunburn is red and painful skin caused by too much sun.
redness	Redness is a red change in the skin after irritation or injury.
hot spot	A hot spot is an area of skin that feels warmer than usual.
cool down	To cool down is to make a burn feel less hot.
first degree burn	A first degree burn is a mild burn that affects the top layer of skin.

Scramble

A headache is pain in the head. Dizziness is the feeling that you or the room is spinning, turning, or unsteady. A toothache is pain in a tooth or the area around it. A sore throat is pain or irritation in the throat, especially when swallowing or speaking. People often say I have a headache, I feel dizzy, My tooth hurts, and I have a sore throat. The mouth and face are easier to describe when you know the parts in Body Parts.

nausealightheadeddizzinessearacheheadachetoothachemigrainesore throat

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Dizziness is the feeling that you may fall or that the room is movingNausea is a feeling that you may vomitIf you feel lightheaded, you feel faint or weak in the headA toothache is pain in a tooth or around the teethA headache is pain in the headAn earache is pain in the earA sore throat is pain or irritation in the throatA migraine is a strong type of headache that can come with other symptoms

Words for head and mouth symptoms

Word	Definition
headache	A headache is pain in the head.
dizziness	Dizziness is the feeling that you may fall or that the room is moving.
toothache	A toothache is pain in a tooth or around the teeth.
sore throat	A sore throat is pain or irritation in the throat.
earache	An earache is pain in the ear.
nausea	Nausea is a feeling that you may vomit.
migraine	A migraine is a strong type of headache that can come with other symptoms.
lightheaded	If you feel lightheaded, you feel faint or weak in the head.

Scramble

A rash is an area of skin that looks red, bumpy, irritated, or different from the rest of the skin. Itchy describes skin that makes you want to scratch it. Hives are raised, itchy patches or bumps that can appear suddenly. A bump is a small raised area on the skin. People say I have a rash on my arms, My skin is itchy, or She has hives. These words often describe a reaction to food, medicine, heat, or an insect bite.

dry skinirritationhivesbumpsitchyflare uprasheczema

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Hives are raised itchy spots on the skinTo flare up means to become worse again suddenlyIrritation is discomfort or redness caused by something that bothers the skinDry skin is skin that does not have enough moistureEczema is a skin condition that can cause dry itchy patchesBumps are small raised spots on the skinIf skin is itchy, it makes you want to scratch itA rash is a red or irritated change in the skin

Words for skin reactions and irritation

Word	Definition
rash	A rash is a red or irritated change in the skin.
itchy	If skin is itchy, it makes you want to scratch it.
hives	Hives are raised itchy spots on the skin.
bumps	Bumps are small raised spots on the skin.
irritation	Irritation is discomfort or redness caused by something that bothers the skin.
dry skin	Dry skin is skin that does not have enough moisture.
eczema	Eczema is a skin condition that can cause dry itchy patches.
flare up	To flare up means to become worse again suddenly.

Scramble

Pain is the general word for something that hurts. An ache is a dull, steady pain, often in the back, legs, or joints. Throbbing pain comes and goes in a strong rhythm, like a pulse. Numb means you cannot feel a body part normally. Tingling is a light, prickly feeling, like pins and needles. People say I have pain in my shoulder, My leg aches, My finger feels numb, and My foot is tingling. These words describe feelings in many parts of the body, not only injuries.

pressuremild paintinglingachepainthrobbingnumbsharp pain

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Pain is a feeling that something hurtsPressure is a feeling of strong pushing or tightnessSharp pain is a sudden and strong painTingling is a prickly feeling like tiny pins on the skinThrobbing means pain that beats or pulsesMild pain is a small amount of pain that is not very strongIf a body part is numb, it cannot feel touch wellAn ache is a dull or lingering pain

Words for general pain and body feelings

Word	Definition
pain	Pain is a feeling that something hurts.
ache	An ache is a dull or lingering pain.
throbbing	Throbbing means pain that beats or pulses.
numb	If a body part is numb, it cannot feel touch well.
tingling	Tingling is a prickly feeling like tiny pins on the skin.
pressure	Pressure is a feeling of strong pushing or tightness.
sharp pain	Sharp pain is a sudden and strong pain.
mild pain	Mild pain is a small amount of pain that is not very strong.

Scramble

A cough is a sudden sound that clears the throat or lungs. Short of breath describes difficulty breathing or the feeling that you cannot get enough air. Wheeze is a high, whistling sound when breathing. Chest pain is pain in the chest area, and it can be serious. People say I have a cough, I feel short of breath, He is wheezing, or She has chest pain. These symptoms can happen with a cold, asthma, allergy, or a more serious illness.

short of breathwheezecoughtight chestphlegmchest painasthma attackinhaler

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If you are short of breath, it is hard to breathe easilyAn inhaler is a small device that helps you breathe medicine into your lungsA tight chest is a feeling that the chest is squeezed or hard to expandChest pain is pain in the chest areaPhlegm is thick mucus from the throat or lungsTo wheeze means to breathe with a high whistling soundA cough is a sudden sound you make to clear your throat or lungsAn asthma attack is a sudden breathing problem caused by asthma

Words for breathing and chest problems

Word	Definition
cough	A cough is a sudden sound you make to clear your throat or lungs.
short of breath	If you are short of breath, it is hard to breathe easily.
wheeze	To wheeze means to breathe with a high whistling sound.
chest pain	Chest pain is pain in the chest area.
tight chest	A tight chest is a feeling that the chest is squeezed or hard to expand.
phlegm	Phlegm is thick mucus from the throat or lungs.
asthma attack	An asthma attack is a sudden breathing problem caused by asthma.
inhaler	An inhaler is a small device that helps you breathe medicine into your lungs.

Scramble

When someone is not sure what is wrong, they say I'm not sure. When the pain is very strong, they say It hurts badly or It really hurts. This is serious tells another person the problem needs fast attention. In emergency situations, people say Call an ambulance or Go to the ER. In American English, ER means emergency room. These phrases are common in conversations with family, coworkers, doctors, and emergency staff.

In British English, a chemist is a shop where you can buy medicine and health supplies. In American English, the usual word is pharmacy. Both words can refer to the place where you get prescription medicine, pain relief, bandages, and other basic health items. People say I need to go to the chemist in the UK and I need to go to the pharmacy in the US. The spelling and accent change, but the purpose is the same.

chemistpharmacy

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A chemist is a place where you can buy medicine and health itemsA pharmacy is a place where you can buy medicine and health items

British and American places for medicine

Region	Variant	Definition	Example
United Kingdom	chemist	A chemist is a place where you can buy medicine and health items.	I went to the chemist for pain relief.
United States	pharmacy	A pharmacy is a place where you can buy medicine and health items.	I asked the pharmacy for bandages.

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