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
1
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."
2
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- ordeals
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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."
Synonyms
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trial by ordeal
Rhymes for ordeal
See all rhymes for ordeal →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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