First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1hurt
verb \ˈhərt\
: to cause pain or injury to (yourself, someone else, or a part of your body)
: to be a source or cause of pain
: to feel physical pain
hurthurt·ing
Full Definition of HURT
transitive verb
1
2
intransitive verb
1
a : to suffer pain or grief b : to be in need —usually used with for <hurting for money>
2
: to cause damage or distress <hit where it hurts>
— hurt adjective
— hurt·er noun
See hurt defined for English-language learners
See hurt defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of HURT
Middle English, probably from Anglo-French hurter to strike, prick, collide with, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse hrūtr male sheep
Related to HURT
Synonym Discussion of HURT
injure, harm, hurt, damage, impair, mar mean to affect injuriously. injure implies the inflicting of anything detrimental to one's looks, comfort, health, or success <badly injured in an accident>. harm often stresses the inflicting of pain, suffering, or loss <careful not to harm the animals>. hurt implies inflicting a wound to the body or to the feelings <hurt by their callous remarks>. damage suggests injury that lowers value or impairs usefulness <a table damaged in shipping>. impair suggests a making less complete or efficient by deterioration or diminution <years of smoking had impaired his health>. mar applies to injury that spoils perfection (as of a surface) or causes disfigurement <the text is marred by many typos>.
2hurt
noun
: mental or emotional pain
Full Definition of HURT
1
: a cause of injury or damage : blow
2
a : a bodily injury or wound b : mental distress or anguish : suffering
See hurt defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HURT
13th century
Related to HURT
- Synonyms
- affliction, agony, anguish, excruciation, distress, misery, pain, rack, strait(s), torment, torture, travail, tribulation, woe
HURTING Defined for Kids
1hurt
verb \ˈhərt\
hurthurt·ing
Definition of HURT for Kids
1
: to feel or cause pain <My feet hurt.> <These shoes hurt.>
2
: to do harm to : damage <The drought has hurt crops.>
3
: to cause to be sad <“I am sure none of my boys and girls in Room 13 would purposely … hurt anyone's feelings …” — Eleanor Estes, The Hundred Dresses>
4
: to make poorer or more difficult <The fumble hurt our team's chance of winning.>
2hurt
noun
Definition of HURT for Kids
1
: an injury or wound to the body
2
: mental or emotional pain
3hurt
adjective
Definition of HURT for Kids
: physically or emotionally injured <a hurt toe> <hurt feelings>
Learn More About HURT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: hurtablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: hursingharAll Words Near: hurt
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up hurt? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).