What does injured mean?
“Injured” means that someone or something has been harmed, most often physically. It commonly describes a person who has been hurt in an accident, conflict, or other incident, as in “the injured passengers were taken to hospital.” The word can also have a figurative use, referring to emotional distress, offended dignity, or unfair treatment that deprives someone of a right: an appeal may describe the party as “injured” by an unfair decision. In general usage, “injured” is broad and formal, while “hurt” is more conversational. “Wounded” often emphasizes a specific physical wound, and “damaged” is more usual for objects, property, or systems. The word comes from the same Latin root as “injure” and “injury,” reflecting its central meaning of harm or loss.
Harmed physically, especially as the result of an accident or violence; also emotionally hurt or deprived of a right.
"The rescue workers searched the building for injured survivors."
In the figurative sense, “injured” often appears in legal and formal contexts, especially in the phrase “injured party.”
Past tense and past participle of “injure,” meaning to cause physical, emotional, or other harm to someone or something.
"The collision injured several people."
This is an inflected verb form rather than a distinct lexical verb.
From “injure,” which comes from the Latin root iniuria, meaning “harm” or “injury,” the word “injured” has long carried the idea of both physical wounds and offended dignity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does injured come from?
The adjective “injured” was formed in English from the verb “injure,” which comes from Latin iniuria, a word meaning “harm” or “injury” and related to the root of “injurious.” The modern sense of being physically harmed developed from the older sense of suffering loss, wrong, or damage. The same root also gave English “injury” and “injurious,” while related forms appear in other European languages.
Related word forms
How injured is actually used
“Injured” is formal and broadly applicable. “Wounded” is more specific to physical injury, especially conflict, while “hurt” is more common in everyday speech and can also describe minor physical or emotional harm.
Easily confused with injured
“Injured” is the general term for being harmed, while “wounded” more often refers to a physical injury caused by a weapon or combat.
“Injured” describes harm to a person or living being, whereas “damaged” usually describes harm to an object, property, or system.