Word
traumatic
Phoneticstrau·mat·ic, stress on the second syllable
US/tɹɔˈmætɪk/
UK/tɹɔːmˈætɪk/
Definitions
01emotionally painful
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.
“Moving to a new country as a child was a traumatic experience for him.”
“Psychologists noted that the survivors of the earthquake required long-term support to process the traumatic events they had witnessed.”
Synonyms
02physical injury
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
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.
“The patient was rushed to the hospital with a traumatic brain injury.”
“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'.
Synonyms
03wound medicine
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Medicine Archaic · Technical
n. a type of medicine used to help heal wounds.
n. a substance or medicinal agent used to treat or heal physical wounds.
“The old medical book listed several herbs that could be used as a traumatic.”
“In nineteenth-century pharmacopoeias, various resins were classified as traumatics due to their supposed ability to accelerate the closing of open sores.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “traumatic” in context.
Verb
01. relive a traumatic experience
“The witness had to relive the traumatic experience during the trial.”
verb + noun
02. suffer a traumatic injury
“He suffered a traumatic brain injury in the car accident.”
verb + noun
Adjective
03. deeply traumatic
“Losing a parent at a young age is a deeply traumatic event.”
adv + adj
04. potentially traumatic
“Moving to a new country can be a potentially traumatic transition for children.”
adv + adj
Noun
05. traumatic childhood
“Her latest novel explores the effects of a traumatic childhood.”
adj + noun
06. traumatic event
“Counseling is often provided to help people process a traumatic event.”
adj + noun
07. traumatic memory
“Certain smells can suddenly trigger a traumatic memory from the past.”
adj + noun
08. traumatic injury opposite
09. traumatic recent
10. traumatic significant
11. traumatic similar
Real-World Examples
“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.” “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.” Etymology
From the Latin traumaticus, from the Ancient Greek τραυματικός (traumatikós), from τραῦμα (traûma). By surface analysis, trauma + -tic.
From the Latin [medicāmentum] traumaticum, from traumaticus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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