How to Pronounce Painful

To pronounce "painful", say PAINF-ul — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈpeɪn.fəl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

painful

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Accent

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Speed

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2

Syllables

7

Letters

/ˈpeɪn.fəl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “painful”

"painful" has 2 syllables: painf-ul. It rhymes with disdainful and baneful, if that helps it stick.

What does painful mean?

adjective

  1. Causing pain or distress, either physical or mental.
  2. Afflicted or suffering with pain (of a body part or, formerly, of a person).

Synonyms

annoyingdolefulirksomesmartfulsorrowfulexertinglaborious

Antonyms

painfreepainless

Hear “painful” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with painful

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

disdainfulbanefulgainful

Related words

agonizingachingexcruciatingsoreharrowingsmartingtorturingtorturous

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "painful"?▾

"Painful" has 2 syllables: painf · ul.

What is the IPA transcription of "painful"?▾

The IPA transcription of "painful" is /ˈpeɪn.fəl/.

What does "painful" mean?▾

Painful: Causing pain or distress, either physical or mental.

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