How to describe cuts and wounds in writing?

Apr 12, 2025

If you're writing a gritty crime novel, an intense fantasy battle scene, or a heartfelt drama, injuries like cuts and wounds are bound to make an appearance. The way you describe them can impact your reader's emotional response, their visualization of the scene, and even their connection to the character.

What is a Wound vs a Cut?

In everyday conversation, “cut” and “wound” might be used interchangeably, but in writing—especially fiction—it helps to know the distinction.

A cut is a specific type of wound that involves the skin being split or torn, usually by a sharp object. It’s more clinical and narrow in definition.

A wound, on the other hand, is a broader term. It encompasses any physical damage to the body, such as abrasions, lacerations, punctures, contusions (bruises), or burns. A cut is a wound, but not all wounds are cuts.

Understanding the difference lets you choose the right term for the type of injury and context you’re describing. It also opens up more options for emotional depth, physical consequences, and sensory details in your writing.

How to Describe a Wound?

A good wound description isn’t just about saying “he was hurt.” It’s about capturing the look, feel, and impact of the injury. It's about writing the fear that can come with it. Think about the type of wound, the depth, the setting, and how it affects the character.

How Would You Describe the Physical Appearance of a Wound?

Start by thinking visually. Ask yourself: What does it look like? Here are some elements to consider:

Size: Is it a shallow graze or a deep gash?
Color: Is there blood? Is the skin torn, pink, red, blackened, or pale?
Texture: Jagged, smooth-edged, blistered, swollen?
Location: Where on the body is it? Is it visible or concealed?
Severity: Is it oozing blood, gaping open, or barely noticeable?

For example:

A deep, crimson gash split across his forearm, the edges raw and pulsing.
Blisters bubbled on the surface of her scorched skin, angry and swollen.
The stab wound was small, neat—but blood welled up like a secret too large to hide.

What Words Can Be Used to Describe a Wound?

Here's a list of descriptive words and phrases to help you find the right tone:

Visual/Physical Descriptors:

Gaping
Jagged
Torn
Split
Crusted
Scabbed
Swollen
Punctured
Raw
Oozing

Severity/Condition:

Infected
Fresh
Bleeding
Clotted
Weeping
Deep
Superficial
Agonizing
Cauterized
Healing

Choose descriptors that match your character’s point of view. A doctor may describe a wound clinically, while a frightened child may only notice the blood or the pain.

How to Describe a Cut in Medical Terms?

When you're aiming for authenticity or realism, especially in thrillers, crime fiction, or medical dramas, knowing how to describe a cut medically helps.

Medical terminology for cuts includes:

Laceration: An irregular tear in the skin, often caused by blunt trauma.
Incision: A clean, surgical cut made by a sharp object like a knife.
Abrasion: A superficial scrape that removes the top layer of skin.
Puncture: A narrow, deep wound typically caused by a sharp, pointed object (e.g., a nail or needle).

You can use these terms directly in scenes involving paramedics, doctors, or forensic teams. For instance:

“There’s a 3-inch laceration on the left bicep, deep enough to require sutures.”
“Looks like a clean incision. This wasn’t an accident.”

Using medical terms sparingly adds realism without overwhelming the reader. Pair them with emotional or sensory language to maintain a balance between accuracy and engagement.

How to Describe a Bruise in Creative Writing?

Bruises (or contusions) offer unique opportunities for description because they change over time. Their appearance can signal the age of an injury or hint at hidden violence.

Visual and Metaphoric Descriptions:

“A shadowy bloom spread across his jaw, purple and black like storm clouds.”
“Her thigh was smeared with a bruise the color of old wine, ringed in fading yellow.”
“He bore the mark like a forgotten fingerprint, blue and silent.”

Think about:

Color transitions: From red-purple → blue-black → greenish → yellow-brown.
Shape: Is it round, linear (belt-shaped), or irregular?
Tenderness: Is it sore to touch? Does it cause a limp or hesitation?

Bruises can also carry emotional weight. A single bruise might reveal a backstory of abuse, neglect, or battle.

How Do You Describe Pain in Creative Writing?

Pain is tricky because it’s invisible, but it’s one of the most powerful ways to connect a reader to a character. Rather than just saying “it hurt,” show how the pain affects movement, thought, and emotion.

Show, Don’t Tell

Telling:

He was in pain.
Her arm hurt.

Showing:

Every breath sent a sharp jolt down her side, forcing her to clamp her jaw to keep from crying out.
He cradled his arm, his face pale and glistening, eyes unfocused as he stumbled forward.

Let the pain alter how the character speaks, moves, and thinks. Use dialogue, inner monologue, and body language: