painful

adjective

pain·​ful ˈpān-fəl 

painfuller ˈpān-fə-lər  ; painfullest

1

a

: feeling or giving pain

a painful injury

b

: irksome, annoying

2

: requiring effort or exertion

a long painful trip

3

archaic : careful, diligent

painfully

ˈpān-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

painfulness

ˈpān-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of painful

• sore
• aching
• hurting

Examples of painful in a Sentence

I got a painful sunburn.

We can't ignore our country's painful history of slavery.

His questions brought up a lot of painful memories.

It was painful to watch.

Recent Examples on the Web

Every labored breath and painful cough is a reminder that their parents did everything right and relied on the immunity of those around them. —Sarah Marsicek, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2026

The Bruins’ have suffered more dramatically painful losses on home ice in recent memory. —Stephen Conroy, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026

Colorado rebounded after a painful ninth-inning loss to the Padres on Thursday at Coors Field. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026

Patrick Boyland The Grim Reaper appears at Goodison The end of Moyes’ brief Manchester United tenure — which lasted little over nine months from July 2013 to April 2014 — came in painful fashion, and on familiar ground. —Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing painful

• painful to the touch

Rhymes for painful

• gainful
• disdainful

Kids Definition

painful

adjective

pain·​ful ˈpān-fəl 

: feeling or giving pain

painfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

painfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

painful

adjective

pain·​ful ˈpān-fəl 

painfuller -fə-lər  ; painfullest

: feeling or giving pain

painfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb