Painful
/ˈpeɪnfəl/
Definitions
3 meaningsCausing or characterized by pain; distressing.
/ˈpeɪnfəl/
Causing or characterized by physical or mental pain.
The burn was incredibly painful.
💡 Simply: If something's painful, it hurts! Like when you scrape your knee or feel sad after a fight with a friend. It means something is causing you to feel bad in your body or your feelings.
👶 For kids: When something hurts your body or makes you feel sad, it is painful!
More Examples
The memories of the accident were still painful for her.
He had a painful headache.
How It's Used
"The patient reported a painful sensation in his chest."
"The breakup was a painful experience for her."
"He tried to avoid walking on his painful leg."
Causing or characterized by mental suffering or distress.
/ˈpeɪnfəl/
Causing mental or emotional distress; hurtful.
The rejection was a painful experience.
💡 Simply: It's like when something makes you feel really, really sad or upset inside. Not just your body, but your feelings too. Like remembering something you wish you could forget.
👶 For kids: If something makes your feelings hurt inside, like when you feel really, really sad or upset.
More Examples
She found it painful to discuss the past.
His criticism was surprisingly painful.
The silence between them was painful.
How It's Used
"It was painful to watch him struggle."
"His silence was painful after her question"
Involving considerable effort or hardship; difficult or troublesome.
/ˈpeɪnfəl/
Requiring significant effort or struggle.
The process of learning a new language can be painful at first.
💡 Simply: When something is painful, it also means something is difficult to do or hard to get through like a really challenging job. It means it takes a lot of hard work and can feel like a big struggle to achieve.
👶 For kids: Something that takes a lot of effort and is very hard to do.
More Examples
The company went through a painful transition period.
The divorce was a painful experience for the entire family.
Reaching an agreement was a painful process.
How It's Used
"Reaching an agreement was a painful process"
"The merger resulted in a painful restructuring."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a pain in the neck
Something or someone that is very annoying or troublesome.
"That leaky faucet is a real pain in the neck."
pain management
The medical specialty that deals with the assessment and treatment of pain.
"She saw a pain management specialist to help with her chronic back pain."
No pain, no gain
You must suffer or work hard to achieve something.
"I know it's hard to exercise every day, but remember, no pain, no gain!"
From Middle English "peyneful", from "peyne" (pain) + "-ful" (full of). Ultimately from Latin "poena" (penalty, punishment).
The word 'painful' has been used since the Middle Ages, often referring to physical suffering or hardship, later expanding to include emotional distress and challenging experiences.
Memory tip
Think of a time when something hurt really badly.
Word Origin
"penalty, punishment"