painful
|pain/ful|
B2
/ˈpeɪn.fəl/
full of pain
Etymology
Etymology Information
'painful' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'peinful,' where 'pein' meant 'pain' and '-ful' meant 'full of.'
Historical Evolution
'peinful' transformed into the modern English word 'painful' through gradual phonetic changes.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'full of pain,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
causing physical pain or discomfort.
The injury was quite painful.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
causing emotional or mental distress.
It was a painful memory to recall.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:40