Word
sprain
US/ˈspɹeɪn/
UK/spɹˈeɪn/
Definition
n. an injury to a joint, usually in your ankle, where the ligaments are stretched or torn. It happens when you twist or turn your joint too far.
n. a partial or complete tear of a ligament, typically resulting from a sudden twisting motion of a joint. Often used to describe injuries to the ankle or wrist.
Examples
“He had a sprained ankle after playing soccer.”
“The athlete had to wear a brace for six weeks after suffering a severe sprain during the championship game.”
“While a minor sprain may heal with rest and ice, a complete ligament rupture often requires surgical intervention to restore the joint's stability and prevent long-term arthritis.”
Examples
simple
“He had a sprained ankle after playing soccer.”
contextual
“The athlete had to wear a brace for six weeks after suffering a severe sprain during the championship game.”
complex
“While a minor sprain may heal with rest and ice, a complete ligament rupture often requires surgical intervention to restore the joint's stability and prevent long-term arthritis.”
Real-World Examples
“A sprained ankle in a city usually means an inconvenient trip home or to the doctor, but a sprained ankle 5 miles from the trailhead may mean that someone will need to carry you.” Etymology
1601, verb attested 1622. Possibly borrowed from Middle French espraindre (“to press out, to wring”), from Latin exprimere, in which case cognate to express.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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