B1adjective 1K

Painful

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈpeɪnfl/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈpeɪnfl/"]/

Meaning of Painful

causing you pain

In simple words: Causing physical or emotional hurt.

Painful in a sentence

• The injury was so painful that I could barely walk.
• He experienced a painful breakup that took a long time to heal.
• It was a painful process to learn how to forgive myself.
• The surgery left her with a painful scar.
• His painful memories often resurfaced when he visited his hometown.

How to use Painful

Use 'painful' for any physical or emotional discomfort. It's neutral, so suitable in both casual and serious contexts. Avoid using it in overly positive scenarios.

Grammar pattern

Painful + noun

Memory hint

Think of 'pain' and 'full'—a full amount of pain.

Related words

Collocations with Painful

• be
• look
• seem
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• to
• be
• look
• seem
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• to
• be
• look
• seem
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• to

Synonyms for Painful

• trying

Opposites of Painful

• painless
• comfortable
• easy

Common mistakes with Painful

• Using 'painful' in a positive context, like saying 'it’s a painful experience to enjoy'
• Confusing with 'painstaking', which means requiring a lot of effort
• Not using the correct form, like saying 'painfull' instead of 'painful'

Frequently asked questions about Painful

What does Painful mean?

Causing physical or emotional hurt.

What is the definition of Painful?

causing you pain

How do you use Painful in a sentence?

The injury was so painful that I could barely walk.

Can you give another example of Painful?

He experienced a painful breakup that took a long time to heal.

What are synonyms for Painful?

Common alternatives include trying.

What is the opposite of Painful?

Opposite meanings include painless, comfortable, easy.

What words go with Painful?

It commonly pairs with be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very, to, be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very, to, be, look, seem, extremely, fairly, very, to.

What are common mistakes when using Painful?

Using 'painful' in a positive context, like saying 'it’s a painful experience to enjoy' Confusing with 'painstaking', which means requiring a lot of effort Not using the correct form, like saying 'painfull' instead of 'painful'

How do you pronounce Painful?

US: /["/ˈpeɪnfl/"]/, UK: /["/ˈpeɪnfl/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Painful?

Use 'painful' for any physical or emotional discomfort. It's neutral, so suitable in both casual and serious contexts. Avoid using it in overly positive scenarios.

What CEFR level is Painful?

"Painful" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.