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

Over time, this can lead to painful and debilitating ulcers, typically occurring on the inner side of the leg above the ankle. —Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 2 Oct. 2025

The gap in government services will be painful, and Democratic senators and aides report constituents are already peppering them with questions about the shutdown. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Oct. 2025

Several medical conditions can mimic prostate cancer, causing many of the same symptoms, including painful ejaculation and blood in the urine. —Md Published, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

For example, a disconcertingly painful procedure, may also influence the chances of developing the diagnosis. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 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