English Reference
adjective · noun

traumatic

adj. · n.
US /tɹɔˈmætɪk/ UK /tɹɔːmˈætɪk/ trau·mat·ic

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.causing severe emotional shock and upset that lasts for a long time.

    adj.relating to or causing psychological trauma; characterized by severe emotional distress and potential long-term mental health impacts.

    Simple

    Moving to a new country as a child was a traumatic experience for him.

    In context

    Psychologists noted that the survivors of the earthquake required long-term support to process the traumatic events they had witnessed.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    adj.relating to a physical injury caused by a sudden accident or force.

    adj.pertaining to physical wounds or injuries caused by external force rather than disease.

    Simple

    The patient was rushed to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury.

    In context

    The surgeon specialized in treating traumatic injuries resulting from high-impact vehicular accidents.

    Usage

    Often used in medical collocations like 'traumatic brain injury' (TBI) or 'traumatic amputation'.

    injurious
  3. 03 C2 Proficiency ArchaicTechnical Medicine

    n.a type of medicine used to help heal wounds.

    n.a substance or medicinal agent used to treat or heal physical wounds.

    Simple

    The old medical book listed several herbs that could be used as a traumatic.

    In context

    In nineteenth-century pharmacopoeias, various resins were classified as traumatics due to their supposed ability to accelerate the closing of open sores.

    vulneraryremedy

Usage traumatic injury opposite · traumatic recent · traumatic significant

But that version of herself isn’t a world away, she says; the story’s climax borrows from a traumatic experience she had with an ex.

The Guardian· 18 Aug 2026

After surviving a traumatic event, survivors often face a double blow: Even their own doctor doesn’t believe them or know how to help them.

The Conversation· 10 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From the Latin traumaticus, from the Ancient Greek τραυματικός (traumatikós), from τραῦμα (traûma). By surface analysis, trauma + -tic.

Etymology 2

From the Latin [medicāmentum] traumaticum, from traumaticus.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated