MEANING
A narrow hole made when a pointed object penetrates a surface or the body.
Use it for
Small marks from a dangerous penetration; bites; misleadingly slight external injuriesContrast a tiny opening with the damage hidden beneath it.
Words that belong together
- puncture wound
- paired punctures
- deep puncture
On the page
Two punctures marked the skin behind the ear.
The puncture was so small that she first mistook it for a freckle.
A surgeon traced the infection back to an untreated puncture.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- puncture
Usage notes
Primary category: horror. Names the opening or injury; unlike a long slash, it is localized. Also a verb, with punctures, punctured, puncturing. Noun plural: punctures. Secondary same-lexeme verb [base, third-person, past, past participle, -ing]: puncture, punctures, punctured, punctured, puncturing.
Practice this word in a sentenceYour margin notes
Keep a thought for later. Sign in to save privately.