blister
BLISS-ter
/ˈblɪstər/
A small bubble on the skin filled with serum and caused by friction, burning, or rubbing.
Represents a protective fluid pocket created by the body between upper skin layers to cushion damaged tissue underneath.
The story behind the word. Traced back to Old French 'blestre' (swelling or lump) and Middle Dutch 'blyster'. It entered English in the 14th century to describe bubble-like swellings on skin or heated metal surfaces.
Word relationships
- vesicle: Vesicle is the precise medical term for small fluid-filled skin blisters.
- bulla: Bulla refers specifically to a very large skin blister greater than 5 millimeters across.
Commonly confused with
- callus: A callus is a thick, hardened patch of dead skin formed by long-term pressure, whereas a blister is an acute fluid-filled bubble.
Word family
- blistered (adjective): Covered in fluid bubbles or heat-damaged bubbles.
- blistering (adjective): Extremely hot, fast, or fiercely critical.
Collocations
- blood blister
- friction blister
- develop a blister
- pop a blister
Idioms & expressions
- blistering pace
- blistering heat
Example sentences
- "The ill-fitting boots caused a painful friction blister on her heel halfway through the trek." Hiking hardship
- "Severe sunburn caused her shoulders to blister and peel after hours at the beach." Sun exposure
Memory hook
BLISTER BLOWS up like a fluid BLISTERING balloon. Fluid skin bubble from rubbing.
When not to use
Do not confuse a fluid-filled blister with a solid raised bruise (contusion) or an open scratch.
Fun facts
- First-aid guidelines explicitly advise against popping blisters because intact skin acts as a sterile natural barrier against infection.
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