Word
ordeal
Phoneticsor·deal, stress on the second syllable
US/ɔɹˈdiɫ/
UK/ɔːdˈiəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a very difficult, painful, or unpleasant experience that lasts for a long time. You use this word when something was much harder to get through than a normal problem.
n. an extremely severe or trying experience that tests a person's endurance or character. Historically refers to an ancient form of trial by physical test, but in modern usage, it describes any prolonged stressful event.
Examples
“The long flight was a real ordeal for the small children.”
“After being lost in the mountains for three days, the hikers were finally rescued, ending their terrifying ordeal.”
“The survivors of the shipwreck recounted their harrowing ordeal to the press, describing the weeks spent adrift with dwindling supplies and little hope of discovery.”
Examples
simple
“The long flight was a real ordeal for the small children.”
contextual
“After being lost in the mountains for three days, the hikers were finally rescued, ending their terrifying ordeal.”
complex
“The survivors of the shipwreck recounted their harrowing ordeal to the press, describing the weeks spent adrift with dwindling supplies and little hope of discovery.”
Usage
Often paired with adjectives like 'harrowing', 'terrible', or 'long' to emphasize the difficulty of the experience.
Real-World Examples
“For years many of the women kept their ordeal - their shame - secret.” “The new state he lives in has a professional basketball team, but he believes the ordeal has made him unemployable in the small world of sports writers.” Etymology
From Middle English ordel, ordal, from Medieval Latin ordālium or inherited from its source Old English ordēl, ordāl (“ordeal, judgement”), from Proto-West Germanic uʀdailī (“judgement”, literally “an out-dealing”), from uʀdailijan (“to deal out; dispense”). For more, see Old English or-, English deal. Cognate with Saterland Frisian Uurdeel (“judgement; verdict”), West Frisian oardiel (“judgement”), Dutch oordeel (“judgement, discretion”), Low German Oordeel (“judgement; verdict”), German Urteil (“judgement, verdict”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/ordeal