# pains

/ˈpeɪnz/ (US) · /pˈeɪnz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pains
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. physical or emotional hurting

noun · CEFR A2

more than one feeling of physical or emotional suffering.

For teachers: the plural of 'pain', referring to multiple instances or types of physical suffering or emotional distress.

- After the long hike, he had sharp pains in his knees and back.
- The patient described recurring abdominal pains that intensified shortly after eating, suggesting a chronic digestive issue.

### 2. careful effort

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

great care or effort taken to do something correctly.

For teachers: meticulous effort or trouble taken to accomplish a task; usually appears in the phrase 'to take pains'.

- She took great pains to make sure every name was spelled correctly.
- The historian took great pains to verify the authenticity of the letters before publishing his findings.

Usage: Always used in the plural form in this sense; typically follows the verb 'take'.

## Examples

- She took great pains to ensure the party was perfect.
- The architect took great pains to preserve the original features of the historic building during the renovation.
- The historian took considerable pains to verify every primary source, ensuring that the final narrative was as accurate as the surviving records allowed.

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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.