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

• 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

Based on Devantez’s award-winning 2020 short film of the same name, which was a SXSW official selection and won Best Comedy at the HollyShorts Film Festival, Basic follows Gloria (Park) and Nick (Smith), who go through a painful breakup. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025

Palvin was diagnosed with the condition – which involved tissue growing on the outside of the uterus, sometimes causing painful periods and infertility – earlier this year. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025

After more than three years of painful recovery and an eight-day jury trial, six bystanders wounded during a 2022 police shooting in downtown Denver are hoping for some relief. —Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025

Then bit my own lips hard until the painful lump went away. —Literary Hub, 15 Oct. 2025

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