How to spell bruise
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
bruise
B-R-U-I-S-E
The part to watch: ui says "oo", and it ends -se. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Bruise sounds like "brooz". The "oo" is spelt ui, as in fruit, and the end is se.
Bruise is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with no single spelling rule. These words follow no single rule. Look, say, cover, write and check them a few times a week until they stick.
Common mistakes with bruise
- Wrong: bruseRight: bruise
- Wrong: brusieRight: bruise
A way to remember it
Fruit can bruise: both words have ui.
Bruise in syllables
bruise
Bruise has one syllable, so learn it as a whole word.
In a sentence
I got a bruise on my knee when I fell off my scooter.
Bruise on the statutory list
Bruise is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with bruise, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words to learn by heart
Other words on the Year 5 and 6 list to learn by heart.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell bruising?
Drop the e of bruise before -ing or -ed: bruising, bruised.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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