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

Grey’s Anatomy star Katherine Heigl is getting candid about the painful process of grieving her late costar, Eric Dane. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Feb. 2026

For people with Crohn’s disease, those decisions can have serious consequences, including painful flares, emergency room visits and long-term complications. —Amy Sue Harper, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026

What’s wrong with being uncomfortable and plowing through demanding texts that challenge us to think about bygone times, far-off places and painful emotions, poignantly expressed? —Patricia Steckler, Baltimore Sun, 21 Feb. 2026

Amrhein said losing to a local rival in the semifinals was especially painful, made harder by the close bonds with the senior class. —Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 21 Feb. 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