painfully
Painfully (adverb) means In a way that shows or causes pain. Example: “She limped painfully across the room after twisting her ankle.”
How to use painfully
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn a manner that involves or suggests pain, or as an intensifier meaning "extremely" (usually about something unpleasant).
Word forms
more painfully comparative, most painfully superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She limped _____ across the room after twisting her ankle.
Etymology
From Middle English peinfully, built from painful plus the adverb ending -ly.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for painfully
See all rhymes for painfully →Frequently asked questions
What does “painfully” mean?
The word “painfully” means in a way that shows or causes pain. In plain terms, in a manner that involves or suggests pain, or as an intensifier meaning "extremely" (usually about something unpleasant).
How do you pronounce “painfully”?
“Painfully” is pronounced PAYN-fuh-lee (/ˈpeɪnfəli/ in IPA).
How do you use “painfully” in a sentence?
Here is “painfully” used in a sentence: “She limped painfully across the room after twisting her ankle.”
What part of speech is “painfully”?
“Painfully” is an adverb.
Where does the word “painfully” come from?
The word “painfully” comes from Middle English. From Middle English peinfully, built from painful plus the adverb ending -ly.
Is “painfully” a common word?
“Painfully” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “painfully” have?
“Painfully” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a way that shows or causes pain.