painful
Translation
painful, sore, difficult, distressing
Examples
The injection was a little painful.
The injection was a little painful.
It was a painful decision to make.
It was a painful decision to make.
Reading his report was a painful experience.
Reading his report was a painful experience.
Grammar Patterns
a painful ((noun)) a painful injury
((sth.)) is painful The truth is painful.
it is painful ((to-inf)) It was painful to watch.
Similar Words
Synonyms: sore, aching, difficult; Antonyms: painless, pleasant, easy
Etymology
Comes from 'pain' + the suffix '-ful', meaning 'full of'. Literally, 'full of pain'.
Memory Tips
If something is 'painful', imagine it is 'full' of 'pain'. This helps remember the meaning directly from its parts.