Hurt Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

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The Britannica Dictionary hurt 4 ENTRIES FOUND:

• hurt (verb)
• hurt (adjective)
• hurt (noun)
• fly (noun)

1 hurt /ˈhɚt/ verb hurts; hurt; hurting 1 hurt /ˈhɚt/ verb hurts; hurt; hurting Britannica Dictionary definition of HURT 1 a [+ object] : to cause pain or injury to (yourself, someone else, or a part of your body)

• Be careful with that knife or you could hurt yourself.
• Ouch! You're hurting my arm!
• I hurt my back (while) carrying a heavy box up the stairs.
• She was badly/seriously hurt in a car accident.
• My tooth/back still hurts me.
• Don't worry about the dog—he wouldn't hurt a fly. [=the dog would never bite or attack anyone; the dog is very gentle]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples Synonyms see: injure b [no object] : to be a source or cause of pain

• My tooth/back hurts (a lot/little).
• It hurts [=it is painful] to walk on hot pavement with bare feet.
• The injection didn't hurt at all. = It didn't hurt a bit.
• Ouch! That hurts!
• My arm hurts very badly. = (informally) My arm hurts like hell.
• My leg hurt. = (chiefly US) My leg was hurting.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples c [no object] : to feel physical pain

• When I woke up this morning I hurt all over.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 a [+ object] : to make (someone) sad or upset : to cause (someone) to suffer emotionally

• Their lack of interest in her work hurt her deeply.
• You're only hurting yourself by holding a grudge against them.
• It hurt me to see her go.
• It hurts me to say this [=I don't enjoy saying this], but I just don't think you can do the job.
• I can't tell him the meal was bad because I don't want to hurt his feelings. [=hurt him; make him sad or upset]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples b [no object] : to feel emotional pain or distress

• My sister has really been hurting [=has been very upset and unhappy] since her boyfriend left her.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 : to do harm to (someone or something) : to affect (someone or something) in a bad or harmful way : damage [+ object]

• The lack of rain has hurt the corn crop.
• If we lose this game it will seriously hurt our chances of making the play-offs.
• These new regulations will hurt small businesses.
• hurt profits/sales
• There's no doubt that this scandal has hurt her image.
• Would it hurt you to cook dinner for once? = It wouldn't hurt you to cook dinner for once. [=you should cook dinner]
• As far as he's concerned, what he doesn't know can't/won't hurt him. [=he would rather not know about something; he thinks that if he does not know about something, he cannot be damaged by it, blamed for it, etc.]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [no object]

• The company needs to cut spending, even if it hurts.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples — usually used in negative statements

• I know he's qualified for the job, but it doesn't hurt [=it helps] that the company president is his mother's best friend.
• It wouldn't hurt to try a little harder. [=you should try a little harder]
• We may not finish on time, but it won't hurt to try. [=we should try]
• “Should I ask her for a job?” “It couldn't/can't hurt (to ask).” [=she may give you a job if you ask]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 4 [no object] : to have many problems : to be in a bad situation or condition

• Those poor people are hurting and need our help.
• The local economy is hurting right now. [=it is doing poorly]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

hurt for

[phrasal verb] US, informal 1 hurt for (something) : to lack (something needed)

• Those children are hurting for attention. [=those children need to be given more attention]
• The company is hurting for money right now.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 hurt for (someone) : to have sympathy or pity for (someone)

• I hurt for [=feel for] those poor people.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 hurt /ˈhɚt/ adjective 2 hurt /ˈhɚt/ adjective Britannica Dictionary definition of HURT [more hurt; most hurt] 1 : having a physical injury

• Those who are most badly/seriously hurt [=injured] will be cared for first.
• She has a hurt back.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 2 : feeling or showing emotional pain

• She gave him a hurt look.
• hurt [=wounded] pride
• I was/felt deeply hurt by their refusal to help. [=I was very sad or upset because they refused to help]
• His behavior at the party caused a lot of hurt feelings. [=it made many people upset or sad]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples 3 hurt /ˈhɚt/ noun plural hurts 3 hurt /ˈhɚt/ noun plural hurts Britannica Dictionary definition of HURT : mental or emotional pain [noncount]

• Her sympathy eased the hurt he felt after his dog's death.
• It takes a long time to get past the hurt [=suffering] of a bitter divorce.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples [count]

• They felt a great hurt after their bitter divorce.
• She tried to put past hurts behind her.

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples

put the/a hurt on

US, informal : to injure or damage (someone or something)

• If we adopt a more aggressive strategy, we can really put the hurt on our competitors.
• They really put a hurt on him. [=hurt/injured him very badly]

[+] more examples [-] hide examples [+] Example sentences [-] Hide examples ASK THE EDITOR

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