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

Some hormonal birth control methods can make periods much lighter or stop completely, which can alleviate symptoms associated with painful periods. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026

The uncertainty surrounding thousands of people whose whereabouts remain unknown remains one of the most painful aspects of the disaster. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026

After Robinson got the first shot at the backup job, the Dodgers decided to give a chance to Alfonzo right at this unimaginably painful juncture. — Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 6 July 2026

And for the people caught within its gears, the process can often be painful and fraught with uncertainty, with frighteningly high stakes attached. — Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 6 July 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

• baneful
• 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