bɹuːz bɹuːz kənˈtuz kənˈtjuːz kənˈtjuːʒən kənˈtuʒən hɜːt hɝt ˈɪndʒɚ ˈɪndʒə əˈfɛnd wuːnd damage (plant tissue) by abrasion or pressure The customer bruised the strawberries by squeezing them break up into small pieces for food preparation bruise the berries with a wooden spoon and strain them injure the underlying soft tissue or bone of I bruised my knee hurt the feelings of She hurt me when she did not include me among her guests This remark really bruised my ego an injury that doesn't break the skin but results in some discoloration