Word
painkiller
US/ˈpeɪnˌkɪɫɝ/
UK/pˈeɪŋkɪlɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a medicine that you take to make a physical injury or illness less painful. You might take one for a headache or a broken arm.
n. a drug or substance used to relieve physical pain. Often used in the plural to refer to the general category of analgesics.
Examples
“She took a painkiller for her headache.”
“The doctor prescribed a stronger painkiller after the patient's surgery to help manage the initial recovery phase.”
“While over-the-counter painkillers are effective for minor aches, chronic conditions often require a more nuanced approach involving physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments.”
Examples
simple
“She took a painkiller for her headache.”
contextual
“The doctor prescribed a stronger painkiller after the patient's surgery to help manage the initial recovery phase.”
complex
“While over-the-counter painkillers are effective for minor aches, chronic conditions often require a more nuanced approach involving physical therapy and lifestyle adjustments.”
Etymology
From pain + killer.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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