painless

adjective

pain·​less ˈpān-ləs 

1

: not causing or accompanied by physical pain : not painful

a painless skin growth

painless medical procedures

… the medical exam may include an electrocardiogram, or EKG. This noninvasive test is a painless procedure that measures your heart's activity.

—Sarah Shelton

The relatively painless injections are intended to provide temporary relief for arthritic pain and stiffness.

—Larry Katzenstein

2

: not difficult : not causing or involving complications or emotional distress

There's an easy way to apply for federal aid in the form of grants and student loans: Just fill out the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It's a fairly painless process, and you can even do it online.

—Maurie Backman

a quick and painless solution

painlessly adverb

painlessness noun

Synonyms of painless

• easy
• smooth
• simple
• cheap

Examples of painless in a Sentence

getting paid to watch and review movies seems like a painless way to earn a living

Recent Examples on the Web

Now they are also being asked to absorb an energy transition that policymakers promised would be painless. —Nicole Malliotakis, New York Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026

In the past, hailstorms were seen as temporary, relatively painless weather events. —Ethan Stone, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2026

That's Pasricha's term for a state of being where doing your business is painless and worry-free. —Andrea Muraskin, NPR, 11 Apr. 2026

Those who join the study will have the painless, dime-sized Velcro-like circles placed on seven different spots on the body; one set for 20 minutes, others on for 24 hours, so two groups of seven in all, Robison said. —Helen I. Bennett, Hartford Courant, 7 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for painless

• brainless
• rainless
• stainless

Medical Definition

painless

adjective

pain·​less ˈpān-ləs 

1

: not experiencing pain

2

: not causing pain : not accompanied by pain : not painful

painless surgery

painlessly adverb