Word of the day: What 'arduous' means and how to use it right

The Word of the Day feature explains the adjective arduous and how it is used. It shows how the word adds precision when describing demanding tasks or situations.

In Short

• Arduous describes work or situations that demand sustained effort and patience
• The adjective can apply to physical strain as well as mental pressure
• Examples include exam preparation, mountain climbs, project deadlines and rescue missions

The Word of the Day is arduous. It is a powerful and commonly used word that describes something requiring a lot of effort, energy, and patience.

Whether it is a long journey, a difficult task, or intense preparation, arduous captures the struggle and hard work involved in completing it.

WHAT DOES ARDUOUS MEAN?

Arduous is an adjective. It means something that is very difficult, tiring, and requires a great deal of effort to complete. It can also refer to something physically or mentally demanding.

In simple words, if a task feels long, exhausting, and hard to complete, it can be described as arduous. For example, preparing for competitive exams or climbing a steep mountain can both be described as arduous activities.

The word comes from Latin arduus, meaning 'steep' or 'difficult,' which reflects its original sense of something hard to climb or achieve.

HOW TO USE ARDUOUS IN SENTENCES

Arduous is widely used in formal writing, news reports, and everyday conversations to describe difficulty or effort.

Here are some examples:

• “The students went through an arduous training programme before the exam.”
• “It was an arduous journey across the mountains.”
• “She completed the project after arduous weeks of work.”
• “The rescue operation was long and arduous.”

These examples show how the word highlights effort, struggle, and endurance in different situations.

MAKE YOUR LANGUAGE MORE POWERFUL

Instead of saying: “It was very difficult,”
You can say: “It was arduous.”

Using arduous makes your language more precise and impactful. It is especially useful when you want to describe effort-heavy situations in a more formal and expressive way, whether in essays, conversations, or professional communication.

- Ends