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.

Words for broken skin and bleeding

Word	Definition	Example
cut	A cut is a small opening in the skin made by something sharp.	I got a cut on my finger while cooking.
scrape	A scrape is a minor injury that rubs off the top layer of skin.	He has a scrape on his knee from falling off his bike.
wound	A wound is a general injury where the skin is damaged.	The nurse cleaned the wound carefully.
gash	A gash is a deep cut that is often long and serious.	She had a gash on her arm after the accident.
bleeding	Bleeding means blood is coming out of a cut or injury.	My hand is bleeding a little.
open wound	An open wound is a place where the skin is broken and not closed.	Keep the open wound covered and clean.
scar	A scar is a mark left after a wound heals.	The scar is still visible on his chin.
bandage	A bandage is a strip of material used to cover and protect an injury.	Please put a bandage on the cut.

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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.

Words for bruises and swollen areas

Word	Definition	Example
bruise	A bruise is a dark mark on the skin after a hit or fall.	I have a bruise on my leg from the door.
swelling	Swelling is when a part of the body gets bigger because of injury or illness.	The swelling in my ankle is getting better.
swollen	If something is swollen, it is larger than normal because it is injured or irritated.	Her finger is swollen after the fall.
puffy	Puffy means slightly swollen and soft-looking.	His eyes look puffy this morning.
hematoma	A hematoma is a larger collection of blood under the skin after injury.	The doctor said the hematoma should slowly fade.
black eye	A black eye is a bruise around the eye from an impact.	He got a black eye playing basketball.
tender	If a body part is tender, it is painful when you touch it.	The bruise is tender when I press on it.
sore	If a place is sore, it hurts and feels uncomfortable.	My arm feels sore after the crash.

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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.

Words for bone and joint injuries

Word	Definition	Example
fracture	A fracture is a broken bone.	The X ray showed a fracture in her wrist.
broken bone	A broken bone is a bone that has cracked or separated.	He has a broken bone in his foot.
sprain	A sprain is an injury to a joint caused by stretching or tearing ligaments.	She has a sprain in her ankle.
ankle injury	An ankle injury is any damage to the ankle from twisting or impact.	The player left the game with an ankle injury.
joint pain	Joint pain is pain in the place where two bones meet.	I have joint pain in my knee today.
cast	A cast is a hard cover that holds a broken bone still while it heals.	He wore a cast for six weeks.
crutch	A crutch is a support used for walking when a leg is injured.	She used a crutch after the injury.
X ray	An X ray is an image that helps doctors see inside the body.	The doctor ordered an X ray of my arm.

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.

Words for muscle and tendon injuries

Word	Definition	Example
strain	A strain is an injury from stretching a muscle or tendon too far.	He has a strain in his back.
pulled muscle	A pulled muscle is a muscle that has been stretched or torn.	I think I have a pulled muscle in my shoulder.
cramp	A cramp is a sudden tight pain in a muscle.	I got a cramp in my leg at night.
tendon pain	Tendon pain is pain in the strong tissue that connects muscle to bone.	She felt tendon pain after running.
muscle ache	A muscle ache is a dull pain in a muscle.	I have a muscle ache after the workout.
tight	If a muscle feels tight, it feels stiff and not relaxed.	My neck feels tight this morning.
stiff	If a body part is stiff, it does not move easily.	His legs are stiff after the long trip.
overuse injury	An overuse injury is damage caused by repeating the same movement too much.	The coach said it was an overuse injury.

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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.

Words for heat and sun injuries

Word	Definition	Example
burn	A burn is an injury to the skin caused by heat or fire.	She got a burn from the hot pan.
blister	A blister is a small bubble of fluid on the skin.	The new shoes gave me a blister.
scald	A scald is a burn caused by hot liquid or steam.	He suffered a scald from boiling water.
sunburn	Sunburn is red and painful skin caused by too much sun.	I got sunburn after the beach trip.
redness	Redness is a red change in the skin after irritation or injury.	There is some redness around the burn.
hot spot	A hot spot is an area of skin that feels warmer than usual.	The hot spot on my arm is painful.
cool down	To cool down is to make a burn feel less hot.	Use cold water to cool down the skin.
first degree burn	A first degree burn is a mild burn that affects the top layer of skin.	The doctor said it was a first degree burn.

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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.

Words for head and mouth symptoms

Word	Definition	Example
headache	A headache is pain in the head.	I have a headache after the long meeting.
dizziness	Dizziness is the feeling that you may fall or that the room is moving.	She felt dizziness when she stood up quickly.
toothache	A toothache is pain in a tooth or around the teeth.	I stayed home because of a bad toothache.
sore throat	A sore throat is pain or irritation in the throat.	He has a sore throat and cannot speak well.
earache	An earache is pain in the ear.	The child cried all night with an earache.
nausea	Nausea is a feeling that you may vomit.	I felt nausea on the bus.
migraine	A migraine is a strong type of headache that can come with other symptoms.	She had a migraine and needed a quiet room.
lightheaded	If you feel lightheaded, you feel faint or weak in the head.	I felt lightheaded after skipping lunch.

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.

Words for skin reactions and irritation

Word	Definition	Example
rash	A rash is a red or irritated change in the skin.	He got a rash after using the new soap.
itchy	If skin is itchy, it makes you want to scratch it.	My arms are itchy after the hike.
hives	Hives are raised itchy spots on the skin.	The allergy caused hives on her neck.
bumps	Bumps are small raised spots on the skin.	There are small bumps on my forehead.
irritation	Irritation is discomfort or redness caused by something that bothers the skin.	The mask caused skin irritation behind my ears.
dry skin	Dry skin is skin that does not have enough moisture.	My hands get dry skin in winter.
eczema	Eczema is a skin condition that can cause dry itchy patches.	She manages her eczema with cream.
flare up	To flare up means to become worse again suddenly.	My rash can flare up when I am stressed.

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.

Words for general pain and body feelings

Word	Definition	Example
pain	Pain is a feeling that something hurts.	The pain in my side is getting worse.
ache	An ache is a dull or lingering pain.	I have an ache in both shoulders.
throbbing	Throbbing means pain that beats or pulses.	There is a throbbing pain in my tooth.
numb	If a body part is numb, it cannot feel touch well.	My foot feels numb after sitting too long.
tingling	Tingling is a prickly feeling like tiny pins on the skin.	I felt tingling in my fingers.
pressure	Pressure is a feeling of strong pushing or tightness.	I feel pressure behind my eyes.
sharp pain	Sharp pain is a sudden and strong pain.	He felt sharp pain when he twisted his back.
mild pain	Mild pain is a small amount of pain that is not very strong.	The injury causes only mild pain now.

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.

Words for breathing and chest problems

Word	Definition	Example
cough	A cough is a sudden sound you make to clear your throat or lungs.	I have a cough that gets worse at night.
short of breath	If you are short of breath, it is hard to breathe easily.	She felt short of breath after climbing the stairs.
wheeze	To wheeze means to breathe with a high whistling sound.	The baby began to wheeze during the cold.
chest pain	Chest pain is pain in the chest area.	He called for help because of chest pain.
tight chest	A tight chest is a feeling that the chest is squeezed or hard to expand.	I get a tight chest when I am anxious.
phlegm	Phlegm is thick mucus from the throat or lungs.	My phlegm is yellow today.
asthma attack	An asthma attack is a sudden breathing problem caused by asthma.	He used his inhaler during an asthma attack.
inhaler	An inhaler is a small device that helps you breathe medicine into your lungs.	She keeps her inhaler in her bag.

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.

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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