pain

American  

[peyn] / peɪn /

noun

1. physical suffering or distress, as due to injury, illness, etc.

   Synonyms:

   torment , misery , torture

2. a distressing sensation in a particular part of the body.

   a back pain.

   Synonyms:

   stitch , twinge , pang , torment , misery , torture

3. mental or emotional suffering or torment.

   I am sorry my news causes you such pain.

   Synonyms:

   torment , misery , torture

   Antonyms:

   delight , joy

4. pains,

   1. laborious or careful efforts; assiduous care.

      Great pains have been taken to repair the engine perfectly.

   2. the suffering of childbirth.

5. Informal.  an annoying or troublesome person or thing.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause physical pain to; hurt.

2. to cause (someone) mental or emotional pain; distress.

   Your sarcasm pained me.

   Synonyms:

   grieve , trouble , torment , afflict

   Antonyms:

   please

verb (used without object)

1. to have or give pain.

idioms

1. pain in the ass,  pain.

2. pain in the neck,  pain.

3. feel no pain,  to be intoxicated.

   After all that free beer, we were feeling no pain.

4. on / upon / under pain of,  liable to the penalty of.

   on pain of death.

pain British  

/ peɪn /

noun

1. the sensation of acute physical hurt or discomfort caused by injury, illness, etc

2. emotional suffering or mental distress

3. subject to the penalty of

4. Also called: pain in the neck.   pain in the arse.  informal  a person or thing that is a nuisance

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verb

1. to cause (a person) distress, hurt, grief, anxiety, etc

2. informal  to annoy; irritate

pain More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing pain

• at pains
• feel no pain
• for one's pains
• growing pains
• no pain, no gain
• on pain of

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Related Words

Pain , ache , agony , anguish are terms for sensations causing suffering or torment. Pain and ache usually refer to physical sensations (except heartache ); agony and anguish may be physical or mental. Pain suggests a sudden sharp twinge: a pain in one's ankle. Ache applies to a continuous pain, whether acute or dull: headache; muscular aches. Agony implies a continuous, excruciating, scarcely endurable pain: in agony from a wound. Anguish suggests not only extreme and long-continued pain, but also a feeling of despair. See care.

Other Word Forms

• underpain noun
• unpaining adjective

Etymology

Origin of pain

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English peine “punishment, torture, pain,” from Old French, from Latin poena “penalty, pain,” from Greek poinḗ “penalty”

Example Sentences

He must have been in excruciating pain, but he’s nothing if not stubborn.

From Salon

It looks like economic pain in China could mean government stimulus from Beijing that could boost Alibaba.

From Barron's

Although great pains are taken to keep the process random and the groups evenly balanced, a “Group of Death” frequently emerges featuring three or more strong teams, making qualification for the knockout round difficult.

From Los Angeles Times

Any words from Powell or hints in the data that disrupt bets on the Fed’s next move could mean pain for stocks until the central bank does, in all likelihood, slash rates next week.

From Barron's

"He didn't show any pain but was clearly hurt after the one in the ribs."

From BBC

Related Words

• ache
• agony
• burn
• cramp
• discomfort
• fever
• illness
• injury
• irritation
• misery
• sickness
• soreness
• spasm
• strain
• tenderness
• torment
• trouble
• twinge
• wound