English Explanatory Dictionary

painstaking

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Carefully attentive to details; studious; diligent in performing a process or procedure.
noun
  1. The application of careful and attentive effort.

Pronunciation

/ˈpeɪnˌsteɪkɪŋ/ /ˈpeɪnzˌteɪkɪŋ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-painstaking.wav

Word forms

painstaking more painstaking most painstaking pains-taking painstakings

Etymology

From pains + taking; see take pains. The /ˈpeɪnˌsteɪkɪŋ/ pronunciation which dominates in the United States suggests a reanalysis of the word as pain + staking.

Related words

at pains go to pains take pains

Derived words

painstakingly painstakingness unpainstaking
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