# painkiller

/ˈpeɪnˌkɪɫɝ/ (US) · /pˈeɪŋkɪlɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/painkiller
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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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.