Audio English.net » Dictionary » A » Arctangent ... Arecaceae

ARDUOUS

Pronunciation (US):

Dictionary entry overview: What does arduous mean?

• ARDUOUS (adjective)
The adjective ARDUOUS has 3 senses:

1. characterized by toilsome effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
2. taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance
3. difficult to accomplish; demanding considerable mental effort and skill

Familiarity information: ARDUOUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

Dictionary entry details

• ARDUOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

arduous ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Characterized by toilsome effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort

Synonyms:

toilsome; operose; laborious; gruelling; grueling; backbreaking; arduous; punishing; hard; heavy

Context examples:

worked their arduous way up the mining valley / a grueling campaign / hard labor / heavy work / heavy going / spent many laborious hours on the project / set a punishing pace

Similar:

effortful (requiring great physical effort)

Sense 2

arduous ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance

Synonyms:

straining; arduous; strenuous

Context examples:

his final, straining burst of speed / a strenuous task / your willingness after these six arduous days to remain here

Similar:

effortful (requiring great physical effort)

Sense 3

arduous ^{[BACK TO TOP]}

Meaning:

Difficult to accomplish; demanding considerable mental effort and skill

Context example:

the arduous work of preparing a dictionary

Similar:

difficult; hard (not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure)

Learn English with... Proverbs of the week

"It's the empty can that makes the most noise." (English proverb)

"Two watermelons can’t be grabbed in one hand." (Afghanistan proverb)

"Make your bargain before beginning to plow." (Arabic proverb)

"No money, no Swiss." (Dutch proverb)

Page delivered in 0.0612 seconds