travails

tra·vail

T t

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [truh-veyl, trav-eyl]
- /trəˈveɪl, ˈtræv eɪl/
- /ˈtræv.eɪlz/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [truh-veyl, trav-eyl]
- /trəˈveɪl, ˈtræv eɪl/

Definitions of travails word

noun travails painfully difficult or burdensome work; toil. 1
noun travails pain, anguish or suffering resulting from mental or physical hardship. 1
noun travails the pain of childbirth. 1
verb without object travails to suffer the pangs of childbirth; be in labor. 1
verb without object travails to toil or exert oneself. 1

See all 5 definitions of travails

Information block about the term

Origin of travails

First appearance:

before 1200

One of the 9% oldest English words

1200-50; (v.) Middle English travaillen < Old French travaillier to torment < Vulgar Latin *trepaliāre to torture, derivative of Late Latin trepālium torture chamber, literally, instrument of torture made with three stakes (see tri-, pale2); (noun) Middle English < Old French: suffering, derivative of travailler

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Travails

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Travails

travails popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 80% 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.

travails usage trend in Literature

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Synonyms for travails

noun travails

backbreakers — Plural form of backbreaker.
endeavors — Try hard to do or achieve something.
essays — Plural form of essay.
grinds — (Ireland, colloquial, plurale tantum) tutoring; extra lessons in a specific subject outside of school hours. Grinds are often given by private individuals or firms, and might not be provided by the school.
grindstones — Plural form of grindstone.

verb travails

drudges — a person who does menial, distasteful, dull, or hard work.
fags — Plural form of fag.
fights — Plural form of fight.

All 12 Synonyms of travails