bruising
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A violent physical attack on a person.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
You'd better shut up or you'll get a bruising.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “bruising” mean?
A violent physical attack on a person.
Is “bruising” formal or informal?
bruising is generally slang.