0%

ordeal

or·deal
O o

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [awr-deel, -dee-uh l, awr-deel]
    • /ɔrˈdil, -ˈdi əl, ˈɔr dil/
    • /ɔːˈdɪəl/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [awr-deel, -dee-uh l, awr-deel]
    • /ɔrˈdil, -ˈdi əl, ˈɔr dil/

Definitions of ordeal word

  • noun ordeal any extremely severe or trying test, experience, or trial. 1
  • noun ordeal a primitive form of trial to determine guilt or innocence by subjecting the accused person to fire, poison, or other serious danger, the result being regarded as a divine or preternatural judgment. 1
  • noun ordeal A painful or horrific experience, especially a protracted one. 1
  • noun ordeal difficult experience 1
  • countable noun ordeal If you describe an experience or situation as an ordeal, you think it is difficult and unpleasant. 0
  • noun ordeal a severe or trying experience 0

Information block about the term

Origin of ordeal

First appearance:

before 950
One of the 4% oldest English words
before 950; Middle English ordal, Old English ordāl; cognate with Dutch oordeel, German Urteil. See a-3, dole1

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Ordeal

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

ordeal popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

ordeal usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for ordeal

noun ordeal

  • trial — German Der Prozess. a novel (1925) by Franz Kafka.
  • torment — to afflict with great bodily or mental suffering; pain: to be tormented with violent headaches.
  • suffering — the state of a person or thing that suffers.
  • tribulation — grievous trouble; severe trial or suffering.
  • test — Zoology. the hard, protective shell or covering of certain invertebrates, as echinoderms or tunicates.

Antonyms for ordeal

noun ordeal

  • comfort — If you are doing something in comfort, you are physically relaxed and contented, and are not feeling any pain or other unpleasant sensations.
  • contentment — Contentment is a feeling of quiet happiness and satisfaction.
  • happiness — the quality or state of being happy.
  • joy — a female given name.
  • peace — the normal, nonwarring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.

Top questions with ordeal

  • what does ordeal mean?
  • what is ordeal?
  • what is an ordeal?
  • what ordeal means?
  • what does ordeal?
  • what is the definition of ordeal?
  • what is trial by ordeal?
  • what does trial by ordeal mean?
  • what is the ordeal?
  • what was the ordeal?
  • what is ordeal mean?
  • what is the meaning of ordeal?
  • what does the word ordeal mean?
  • what an ordeal?
  • what was trial by ordeal?

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?