First Known Use: 1538
Dictionary
arduous
adjective ar·du·ous \ˈär-jə-wəs, -dyu̇-, -jü-əs\
: very difficult
Full Definition of ARDUOUS
1
See arduous defined for English-language learners
See arduous defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of ARDUOUS
- Traveling for several days by train, stagecoach and horseback, they would reach Mariposa Grove, a stand of some 200 ancient giant sequoias, where they would rest before embarking on an arduous descent via 26 switchbacks into the valley. —Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian, July 2008
- As yoga classes go, this is not an arduous one, but the students don't know that. —Richard Corliss, Time, 23 Apr. 2001
- Women of middling means had the most to gain from increased consumption, for imported goods often reduced their long and arduous labor, especially in making candles and soap or in spinning and weaving cloth. —Alan Taylor, American Colonies, 2000
- [+]more
Origin of ARDUOUS
Latin arduus high, steep, difficult; akin to Old Irish ard high
Related to ARDUOUS
- Synonyms
- hard, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, difficult, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling (or gruelling), heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill
- Antonyms
- cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding
Synonym Discussion of ARDUOUS
hard, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort. hard implies the opposite of all that is easy <farming is hard work>. difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage <the difficult ascent of the mountain>. arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion <the arduous task of rebuilding>.
ARDUOUS Defined for Kids
arduous
adjective ar·du·ous \ˈär-jə-wəs\
Definition of ARDUOUS for Kids
: difficult 1 <an arduous climb>
— ar·du·ous·ly adverb <working arduously>
Learn More About ARDUOUS
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up arduous? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).