painful
/ˈpeɪn.fl̩/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: painfuller · painfullest
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Causing pain or distress, either physical or mental.
Adjective
Examples
In a 2008 case report from India, doctors described removing a giant tonsillolith that was making it painful for a young patient to swallow.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Afflicted or suffering with pain (of a body part or, formerly, of a person).
Adjective
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “painful” mean?
Causing pain or distress, either physical or mental.
Is “painful” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.