painful

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♦ pain|ful /p'eɪnfʊl/
1 [ADJ] oft ADJ to-inf
If a part of your body is painful, it hurts because it is injured or because there is something wrong with it.
Her glands were swollen and painful...
● painfully [ADV] ADV with v
His tooth had started to throb painfully again.
2 [ADJ]
If something such as an illness, injury, or operation is painful, it causes you a lot of physical pain.
...a painful back injury...
● painfully [ADV] ADV with v
He cracked his head painfully against the cupboard.
3 [ADJ] oft ADJ to-inf
Situations, memories, or experiences that are painful are difficult and unpleasant to deal with, and often make you feel sad and upset.
Remarks like that brought back painful memories...
She finds it too painful to return there without him.
● painfully [ADV] ADV with v
...their old relationship, which he had painfully broken off.
4 [ADJ] oft ADJ to-inf
If a performance or interview is painful, it is so bad that it makes you feel embarrassed for the people taking part in it. (INFORMAL)
The interview was painful to watch.

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