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

Coon and Smallwood, much like their characters, feed off one another, an exchange that's inviting, exhilarating, then painful so see unfold. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Jan. 2026

One of the most painful parts of this show remains seeing people who are so good at being on television banished from our screens. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 9 Jan. 2026

Severing some of that connection has been painful for Arts Davis. —Kara Finnstrom, CBS News, 9 Jan. 2026

If even one leg is missing, the result can be painful – and dangerous. —Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 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