noun Uncommon

ordeal

aw-DEEL

Ordeal (noun) means a very difficult, painful, or exhausting experience. Example: “The hostages described their three-day ordeal in harrowing detail.”

noun

A very difficult, painful, or exhausting experience.

"The hostages described their three-day ordeal in harrowing detail."

"Recovering from the surgery was a long ordeal for her."

Historically, a trial in which the accused was subjected to a dangerous physical test, the outcome believed to reveal guilt or innocence by divine judgment.

"In medieval trials by ordeal, the accused might be forced to hold a hot iron."

How to use ordeal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA harsh, drawn-out experience that tests someone's endurance — historically, a trial by dangerous physical test.

Common pairings

a harrowing ordeal survive an ordeal put someone through an ordeal

Word forms

ordeals plural

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The hostages described their three-day _____ in harrowing detail.

Etymology

From Old English ordēl, literally "a judgement dealt out" — related to the modern word "deal."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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trial by ordeal

Rhymes for ordeal

deal zeal teal real meal seal heal peal veal Neal beal ideal

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Frequently asked questions

What does “ordeal” mean?

The word “ordeal” means a very difficult, painful, or exhausting experience. In plain terms, a harsh, drawn-out experience that tests someone's endurance — historically, a trial by dangerous physical test.

How do you pronounce “ordeal”?

“Ordeal” is pronounced aw-DEEL (/ɔɹˈdil/ in IPA).

How do you use “ordeal” in a sentence?

Here is “ordeal” used in a sentence: “The hostages described their three-day ordeal in harrowing detail.”

What part of speech is “ordeal”?

“Ordeal” is a noun.

Where does the word “ordeal” come from?

The word “ordeal” comes from Old English. From Old English ordēl, literally "a judgement dealt out" — related to the modern word "deal.".

Is “ordeal” a common word?

“Ordeal” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “ordeal” have?

“Ordeal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a very difficult, painful, or exhausting experience.

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