adj
laboured
LAY-buhd
Laboured (adj) means showing clear signs of strain or heavy effort. Example: “His breathing became laboured as he neared the top of the climb.”
adj
1
Showing clear signs of strain or heavy effort.
"His breathing became laboured as he neared the top of the climb."
2
Sounding stiff or unnatural because too much effort went into producing it.
"The speech felt laboured, as if every joke had been rehearsed too many times."
How to use laboured
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStrained, effortful, or forced — whether it's breathing, walking, or writing.
UK vs US
British spelling; American English uses "labored."
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more laboured
- Superlative
- most laboured
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His breathing became _____ as he neared the top of the climb.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for laboured
uncured
figured
injured
assured
secured
insured
scoured
coloured
captured
favoured
tortured
measured
See all rhymes for laboured →
Frequently asked questions
What does “laboured” mean?
The word “laboured” means showing clear signs of strain or heavy effort. In plain terms, strained, effortful, or forced — whether it's breathing, walking, or writing.
How do you pronounce “laboured”?
“Laboured” is pronounced LAY-buhd (/ˈleɪ.bɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “laboured” in a sentence?
Here is “laboured” used in a sentence: “His breathing became laboured as he neared the top of the climb.”
What part of speech is “laboured”?
“Laboured” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “laboured” have?
“Laboured” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing clear signs of strain or heavy effort.
