painfuladj.
/ˈpeɪnf(ᵿ)l/, U.S. /ˈpeɪnf(ə)l/ 1.
a. Causing or accompanied by mental pain or suffering; distressing, hurtful.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > [adjective]
eileOE
soreOE
balefulc1200
carefulc1200
aching?c1225
pinefulc1225
sughendc1230
pininga1250
stinginga1250
toughc1275
deringa1325
unsetec1325
unwinc1330
throlya1375
encumbrousc1384
grievable1390
painful1395
plaintfula1400
sweamlya1400
swemandc1400
temptingc1400
importunea1425
sweamfulc1430
penible?a1439
discomfortingc1450
grievingc1450
remordingc1450
sorousc1503
badc1530
paining1532
raw1548
nippingc1550
smartful1556
pinching1563
grievesome1568
griping1568
afflictive1576
pressing1591
boisterous1599
heartstruck1608
carkingc1620
gravaminous1659
vellicating1669
weary1785
traumatizing1970
gut-wrenching1972
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of annoyance or vexation > [adjective] > annoying or vexatious
angeeOE
swinkfuleOE
plightlyOE
teenfulOE
contrariousc1320
drefa1325
troublinga1325
despitousa1340
thornya1340
discomfortablec1350
troublablec1374
noyousa1382
noyfulc1384
diseasy1387
angrya1393
painful1395
hackinga1400
annoying?c1400
annoyousc1400
cumbrousc1400
teenc1400
annoyfulc1405
sputousc1420
diseasefula1425
molest?a1425
noying?a1425
noisomea1450
grievingc1450
tedious?1454
troublous1463
noisantc1475
displeasant1481
strouble1488
nuisant1494
noyanta1500
irksome1513
sturting1513
molestious1524
vexatious1534
cumbersome1535
uncommodious1541
spiteful1548
vexing?1548
incommodious1551
molestous1555
diseasing1558
grating1563
pestilent1565
sturtsome1570
molestuousa1572
troublesome1573
murrain1575
discommodable1579
galling1583
spiny1586
unsupportable1586
troubleful1588
plaguey1594
distressingc1595
molestful1596
molesting1598
vexful1598
fretful1603
briery1604
bemadding1608
mortifying1611
tiry1611
distressfula1616
irking1629
angersome1649
disobliging1652
discomforting1654
incomfortable1655
incommode1672
ruffling1680
unconvenient1683
pestifying1716
trying1718
offending1726
bothering1765
pesky1775
weary1785
sturty1788
unaccommodating1790
tiresome1798
werriting1808
bothersome1817
plaguesome1828
pestilential1833
fretsome1834
languorous1834
pesty1834
pestersome1843
nettlesome1845
miserable1850
niggling1854
distempering1855
be-maddeninga1861
nattery1873
nagging1883
pestiferous1890
trouble-giving1893
maddening1896
molestive1905
nuisancy1906
balls-aching?1912
nuisance1922
nattering1949
noodgy1969
dickheaded1991
dickish1991
cockish1996
Remonstr. against Romish Corruptions (Titus) (1851) 6 (MED) The lif of grace and of blisse is bettre than temporal lif in this peyneful world.
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add.) f. 17 Þe angels..biholdeth þe vertu of god & tremblith in þe contemplacioun þerof b[u]t þis drede is not peyneful [L. penalis] but is forwondringe and not for grisliche fere.
a1425 (a1349) R. Rolle Meditations on Passion (Uppsala) (1917) 50 (MED) Swete Ihesu..I se þi bodi on þe roode al blodi..and þi senewis alle to reuen þere as is most peynful felynge.
c1440 W. Hilton Mixed Life (Thornton) in G. G. Perry Eng. Prose Treat. (1921) 35 A gastely syghte of it, how foule, how vggly and how paynfull þat it [sc. sin] es.
?a1475 Ludus Coventriae (1922) 360 (MED) Youre peynful absence schal make me doloure.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Visitacion of Sicke f. xix* After this painfull lyfe ended.
1658 R. Allestree Pract. Christian Graces; or, Whole Duty of Man vii. §1. 158 How pleasant a vertue this is, may appear by the contrariety it hath to several great and painful vices.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis ii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 266 Then, after many painful Years are past, On Latium's happy Shore you shall be cast.
1723 A. Philips Humfrey, Duke of Gloucester i. ix. 16 Thy own painfull Griefs, a While, suppress. Within thy Breast, compose the doubtfull Strife.
1740 D. Hume Treat. Human Nature III. iii. 221 This is sufficient to affect the mind with a painful sentiment.
1846 W. S. Landor Imaginary Conversat. in Wks. II. 39/1 Salutary pangs may be painfuller than mortal ones.
1871 ‘G. Eliot’ Middlemarch (1872) I. iv. 54 The revulsion was so strong and painful in Dorothea's mind that the tears welled up and flowed abundantly.
1948 A. Paton Cry, Beloved Country i. v. 30 I shall hide nothing from you, though it is painful for me.
1989 G. Daly Pre-Raphaelites in Love vi. 327 It was painful for her to go into the studio now and see the canvases stacked up, gathering dust.
b. Causing or accompanied by emotional discomfort, as embarrassment, irritation, etc. Also in weakened sense: immoderate, excessive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > lack of moderation or restraint > [adjective] > specifically of persons
unsufferablea1387
unmeasurablec1405
immoderatec1450
inordinatec1450
dissolutec1475
excessive1586
extravagant1600
painful1749
unforbearing1820
1749 H. Fielding Hist. Tom Jones III. vii. ix. 67 But first she was obliged to give two painful Audiences.
1785 W. Cowper Task iv. 419 They ask with painful shyness and, refus'd Because deserving, silently retire!
1866 C. Kingsley Hereward the Wake I. xii. 242 He would chant his own doughty deeds; and gab..in painful earnest.
1893 Nation (N.Y.) 18 May 370/3 The ‘Talisman’ is to a painful extent melodramatic and hippodromic.
1958 ‘A. Bridge’ Portuguese Escape 184 ‘Smarminess’ described his conversation with painful accuracy.
1987 R. Ingalls End of Trag. 98 The silence was beginning to be painful.
2000 Hartford (Connecticut) Courant (Nexis) 2 Sept. d2 The plot..is introduced with painful ineptitude (we are midway through the film before the presence or identity of a villain becomes apparent).
2. † b. Of a person: inflicting pain or punishment; tormenting. Obsolete (archaic in later use).
a. Causing or accompanied by physical pain or suffering.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > [adjective] > causing pain
sorec897
smartc1300
throlya1375
snella1400
dolorousc1400
painfulc1400
sensible1502
afflictive1576
doloriferous1599
exasperated1611
dolorific1634
painable1649
algetic1879
algesic1880
paining1891
c1400 Bk. to Mother (Bodl.) 34 (MED) He ches þe tyme more peinful and fouler housinge.
a1450 St. Katherine (Richardson 44) (1884) 41 (MED) Þe tiraunt..bad þat þey alle scholde be..turmented to deth in tho peynfull flaumes of fyer.
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. ccxviiv* For the mytigacion of his peynfull sykenesse.
?1543 T. Phaer tr. J. Goeurot Regiment of Lyfe ix. f. liiv Nephretica is paynefuller afore meate.
1612 G. Chapman Widdowes Teares v. sig. Kv Alas shee's faint, and speech is painefull to her.
1694 R. South 12 Serm. II. 42 Old Age comes..attended with..many painfull Girds and Achings.
1724 A. Z. in J. Henley et al. tr. Pliny the Younger Epist. & Panegyrick I. i. xii. 27 A painful and stubborn Infirmity [sc. gout] surmounted all these Considerations.
1796 J. G. Stedman Narr. Exped. Surinam II. xx. 91 Small emmets, called here fire-ants, from their painful biting.
1819 T. Jefferson Let. 21 Mar. in Writings (1984) 1416 A stiff wrist..makes writing both slow and painful.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. xxv. 178 A sky the brightness of which is painful to the eyes.
1905 J. London Love of Life in McClure's Mag. Dec. 155/1 By a painful effort he rolled over on his side.
1987 R. Carver Elephant (1988) 115 It was painful for Chekhov to move: his legs ached continually.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [adjective] > attended by or causing affliction > inflicting
painfulc1460
inflicting1611
inflictive1611
besetting1796
the mind > emotion > suffering > cause of mental pain or suffering > [adjective] > inflicting mental pain or suffering
painfulc1460
inflicting1611
inflictive1611
c1460 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Laud) 18223 (MED) Satan, that paynefull [a1400 Vesp. pinful; a1400 Trin. Cambr. pyneful] prynce, he [sc. Christ] lawght And vnder myght of helle by-tawght.
1871 G. Meredith France vi, in Fortn. Rev. Jan. 89 The painful Gods might weep, If ever rain of tears came out of Heaven.
3. Of a part of the body: suffering or affected by physical pain; (of an injury, physical symptom, etc.) giving pain; tender, sore, aching.In early and poetic use also applied to the whole body or person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > pain > [adjective] > of parts of body
sorec897
aching?c1225
painful?a1425
achy-breaky1992
?a1425 tr. Catherine of Siena Orcherd of Syon (Harl.) (1966) 179 (MED) Þe soule..þanne..loueth wiþoute peyne..bycause it is departid fro þe peynful body.
c1450 (?c1400) tr. Honorius Augustodunensis Elucidarium (1909) 21 (MED) Aftir his owne manhede he wolde..be boþe peyneful & deedly.
1526 Grete Herball ccciii. sig. Riii/2 Put this sede in a bagge & lay it to the paynfull place.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene iii. ii. sig. Cc8 The louing mother, that nine monethes did beare, In the deare closett of her painefull syde, Her tender babe.
1612 Bp. J. Hall Contempl. I. O.T. iv. 333 They see themselues lothsome with lice, painful and deformed with scabs.
1756 B. Franklin Let. 22 Feb. in Lett. xiv. 482 In some cases a mangled painful limb, which cannot be restored, we willingly cut off.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho I. iv. 109 He was feverish, and his wound very painful.
1834 F. Marryat Peter Simple III. x. 129 My side was very painful, and the burning heat of the sun made me feel giddy and sick.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre I. xiii. 232 She condoled with him..on the annoyance it must have been to him with that painful sprain.
1948 Times 18 May 6/5 In the second innings..Miller left the field with a painful back.
1998 Good Health Mag. Mar. 11/1 Cod liver oil is a natural anti-inflammatory which helps with stiff and painful joints.
2003 Derby Evening Tel. (Nexis) 14 July 13 Shingles is an infection of the nerves that supply the skin, causing a painful rash.
4.
a. Of an action, occupation, etc.: performed with or involving great care or diligence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adjective] > careful or painstaking > characterized by painstaking care
painful?a1425
painstaking1697
?a1425 (c1400) Mandeville's Trav. (Titus C.xvi) (1919) 122 (MED) He loste moche peynefull labour.
c1475 tr. A. Chartier Quadrilogue (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 215 (MED) It hath nat ben withoute paynefull thought and diligence for to bringe thaim agayne..in suche..estate as we may see thaim now present.
1565 T. Stapleton tr. Bede Hist. Church Eng. iii. iii. f. 79 In consideration of their vertuous sermons and painefull preaching.
1580 G. Harvey Two Other Very Commendable Lett. 55 What accompte he maketh, youre selfe shall hereafter perceiue, by hys paynefull and dutifull Uerses of your selfe.
1638 in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 486 The long, paynfull and profitable service donne unto us by James Lynch.
1675 N. Lee Trag. Nero ii. i Nero..Whose youth by painful studies he improv'd.
1775 E. Allen in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) I. 464 This is the situation..according to my most painful discoveries.
1783 H. Blair Lect. Rhetoric II. xxviii. 78 Another thing highly material to the success of every Pleader, is, a diligent and painful attention to every cause with which he is intrusted.
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe I. vi. 107 Accept this alms..in acknowledgment of thy painful travel.
1894 Nation (N.Y.) 21 June 470/3 The little book..will reward a not too painful reading.
1952 Times 17 Jan. 2/6 The type of novel which..concentrates its painful attention on a small and isolated group of people.
2000 Sun (Nexis) 29 July After taking painful care over his fourth attempt [sc. at a tee shot], it too shanked badly and followed the other three into the river.
b. Of a person: painstaking, assiduous, diligent. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > care, carefulness, or attention > [adjective] > careful or painstaking
peniblec1375
industrious1531
painful1531
hoful1565
industrous1570
laboriose1680
painstakinga1685
troublesome1818
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour iii. x. sig. bvi But Fabius beinge painefull in pursuinge Anniball from place to place.
1549 H. Latimer 2nd Serm. before Kynges Maiestie 3rd Serm. sig. Hiv We haue some as painful magistrates, as euer was in Englande.
1570 T. Tusser Hundreth Good Pointes Husbandry (new ed.) f. 30v Such seruants are often both paineful and good.
1612 J. Smith Map of Virginia 22 The women be verie painefull and the men often idle.
a1632 Sir J. Oglander Mem. (1888) 141 I maye trulye saye of the man, I never knewe any more paynefull of bodye, or more industrious of minde.
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi i. v. 21/1 The more Learned, Godly, Painful Ministers of the Land.
1741 T. C. Pagett Misc. Prose & Verse 359 The painful Student, spends his sleepless Nights, And fancies he's Immortal, if he writes.
1802 A. Radcliffe Gaston de Blondeville in Posthumous Wks. (1826) I. 46 The patience of a painful antiquary.
1858 Biblical Repertory Oct. 657 He was a painful student of grammars and lexicons.
1877 E. Leigh Gloss. Dial. Cheshire 150 Honest and painful parents.
5. Causing or involving trouble or labour; difficult; effortful, laborious.Now to some extent merged with sense 1.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > effort or exertion > [adjective] > laborious or toilsome
soreOE
workfulOE
hardOE
torc1175
beswinkfulc1230
heavya1325
sweatyc1374
travailousa1382
laboriousa1393
laborousc1405
winful1443
painfulc1480
toilous1530
operousa1538
drudging1548
travailsome1549
laboursome1551
moilingc1566
toilsome?1570
toilful1573
sweating1592
insudate1609
sweatfula1618
moliminous1656
operose1659
swinking1693
schleppy1978
c1480 (a1400) St. Machor 1342 in W. M. Metcalfe Legends Saints Sc. Dial. (1896) II. 39 It sall be done..how paynefull or how hard It be.
1535 J. Mason in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1827) 2nd Ser. II. 55 Itt [sc. Toledo] is the paynefullist towne that ever mann duellyd in. Itt is through so up hyll and downe hyll.
1585 R. Lane Let. 8 Sept. in Trans. & Coll. Amer. Antiquarian Soc. (1860) 4 14 The same, by the generalle's only grete defalte, havynge beene made bothe moost payenfulle and moost perellouse.
1604 E. Grimeston tr. J. de Acosta Nat. & Morall Hist. Indies iii. x. 152 These eighteene leagues of land..is more painefull and chargeable then 2300 by sea.
1676 J. Dryden Aureng-Zebe i. 5 By quick and painful Marches hither came.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones IV. xi. i. 92 The Uneasiness with which the big Muse bears about her Burden, the painful Labour with which she produces it. View more context for this quotation
1784 E. Allen Reason xiv. §2. 471 They despise the..reasonings of philosophers (which must be admitted to be a painful method of arriving at truth).
1837 T. De Quincey Revolt of Tartars in Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. July 106/1 This general had reached the fortress..after a very painful march.
a1861 A. H. Clough Say not Struggle in Misc. Poems 12 While the tired waves, vainly breaking, Seem here no painful inch to gain.
1888 F. T. Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk. (at cited word) 'Tis ter'ble painful groun', 'tis so clefty.
1971 I. Murdoch Accidental Man 151 You have gained without effort or desert a privilege which millions..have had to achieve by years of painful striving.
2002 Mail on Sunday (Nexis) 22 Sept. 120 With many sportsmen, an interview is a painful attempt to extract a few words of coherence, let alone interest, from a pile of mumbled cliches.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2005; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.1395