adjective
Uncommon
painless
Painless (adjective) means not causing or involving any pain. Example: “The dentist promised the procedure would be painless.”
adjective
1
Not causing or involving any pain.
"The dentist promised the procedure would be painless."
"Modern injections are almost completely painless."
2
Simple and free of difficulty or hassle.
"The company made returns quick and painless."
"We found a painless way to transfer all the files."
How to use painless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither physically pain-free, or (more commonly today) easy and hassle-free.
Common pairings
relatively painless
quick and painless
a painless process
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more painless
- Superlative
- most painless
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dentist promised the procedure would be _____.
Etymology
From Middle English painles, from pain plus the suffix -less ("without").
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for painless
See all rhymes for painless →Frequently asked questions
What does “painless” mean?
The word “painless” means not causing or involving any pain. In plain terms, either physically pain-free, or (more commonly today) easy and hassle-free.
How do you use “painless” in a sentence?
Here is “painless” used in a sentence: “The dentist promised the procedure would be painless.”
What is the opposite of “painless”?
The opposite of “painless” — its antonyms — is painful.
What part of speech is “painless”?
“Painless” is an adjective.
Where does the word “painless” come from?
The word “painless” comes from Middle English. From Middle English painles, from pain plus the suffix -less ("without").
Is “painless” a common word?
“Painless” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “painless” have?
“Painless” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not causing or involving any pain.