# Paine

/ˈpeɪn/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/paine
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

an old way of spelling the word 'pain'. It refers to physical suffering or the effort someone puts into a task.

For teachers: an archaic orthographic variant of 'pain', referring to physical or mental suffering or the exertion of great effort. Found primarily in Middle English or early Modern English texts.

## Examples

- The knight felt great paine after the long battle.
- In the original printing of the poem, the author describes the 'paine' of a broken heart.
- Scholars of early modern literature must often distinguish between 'paine' as physical distress and its use in the phrase 'to take pains', meaning to act with diligent care.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He felt a sharp paine in his leg." but "He felt a sharp pain in his leg." — The spelling 'paine' is archaic and should not be used in modern writing; use 'pain' instead.

## Usage notes

- Archaic spelling; in modern English, 'pain' is the standard form. When used in the sense of 'taking pains', it is typically plural.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.