painless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "painless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not cause pain or discomfort, often in medical or metaphorical contexts. Example: "The procedure was surprisingly painless, and I felt at ease throughout the entire process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To quote just one: "So here is a specific and valuable advance in knowledge that could only have been attained by experimentation on animals that closely resemble us; experiments which are, as far as we can tell, almost painless".

The Guardian

He says: The voting experience was fairly smooth and painless, but not particularly exciting: the first past the post electoral system really diminishes the value of the vote, especially in a safe seat.

The Guardian

London won't be the destination of choice anymore for young people with two degrees The separation would not be painless.

The Guardian

Why could these almost painless experiments not have been carried out on humans?

The Guardian

Not that the process of being photographed by Jane, though brief, was always painless.

The Guardian - Arts

"Pretending that there is some painless solution to this is utterly delusional," Hayes said.

The Guardian

Stress, unlike, say, inadequacy, also has few negative connotations, making it painless to acknowledge.

The Economist

But the results won't be painless.

The Economist

For Catalan nationalists, Europe offers the hope of a painless separation from Spain.

The Economist

Many who are healthy and too well-off to qualify for subsidies are suddenly facing higher premiums, and are irked.Insurers maintain that the transition to new coverage will be as painless as possible.

The Economist

Benghazis do not share those fears, perhaps because their own transition to rebel control was relatively painless.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing medical procedures or transitions, use "painless" to reassure the audience about the lack of discomfort. For example, "The new treatment option offers a "painless" recovery process".

Common error

Avoid using "painless" to describe situations involving significant emotional distress or loss, as it can trivialize the experience. For example, saying "the divorce was "painless"" might come across as insensitive.

Linguistic Context

The word "painless" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe the absence of pain, difficulty, or discomfort. Examples in Ludwig showcase its use in describing medical procedures and transitions as "painless". Ludwig AI indicates this is a correct and usable term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "painless" is a common adjective used to describe the absence of pain, difficulty, or discomfort. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It is frequently found in news and media sources, often used to reassure about the ease of a procedure or transition. Related phrases include "easy", "effortless", and "smooth". When writing, it's best to use "painless" to describe things that are not actually painful, or difficult, but use caution using it in emotional contexts. Common errors include overuse in situations involving significant emotional distress. In summary, "painless" is a versatile and useful word for describing ease and lack of negative experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without discomfort

Focuses on the absence of physical or emotional unease, similar to "painless" but applicable in broader contexts.

easy

Emphasizes the lack of difficulty or effort required, a common meaning of "painless" when referring to tasks or processes.

effortless

Highlights the ease and smoothness of an action or process, akin to the sense of "painless" in certain uses.

smooth

Describes a process or transition that occurs without problems or complications, mirroring the "painless" experience.

trouble-free

Indicates the absence of problems or difficulties, resembling the concept of "painless" in terms of avoiding negative experiences.

without complications

Highlights the lack of complexity or issues, much like "painless" suggests a straightforward experience.

uneventful

Stresses the lack of noteworthy or problematic occurrences, aligning with the idea of a "painless" event.

manageable

Implies ease of handling or dealing with something, reflecting a "painless" experience in terms of workload or stress.

stress-free

Focuses on the absence of stress or anxiety, similar to "painless" when referring to emotionally challenging situations.

inconsequential

Highlights the lack of significant impact or consequence, akin to the idea of "painless" indicating no negative effects.

FAQs

How can I use the word "painless" in a sentence?

You can use "painless" to describe something that does not cause pain or discomfort, or something that is easy and straightforward. For example, "The surgery was surprisingly "painless"" or "The application process was quick and "painless"".

What are some alternatives to the word "painless"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "easy", "effortless", "smooth", or "trouble-free". Each alternative emphasizes a slightly different aspect of the absence of difficulty or discomfort.

Is it correct to say something is "relatively painless"?

Yes, "relatively "painless"" is a valid and commonly used phrase to indicate that something involves less pain or difficulty than expected or compared to other similar experiences. For example, "The transition to the new system was relatively "painless"".

Can "painless" be used metaphorically?

Yes, "painless" is often used metaphorically to describe situations or processes that are free from trouble, difficulty, or stress. For example, "The negotiation process was surprisingly "painless", thanks to open communication and mutual understanding".