🇬🇧🇨🇳 ordeal - 考验 : English Lesson

Meaning of "ordeal" ("考验"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

An ordeal is a tough or painful situation that is hard to go through, either physically or emotionally. It can be something big, like getting lost in the woods, or something small but frustrating, like sitting through a really boring lecture. An ordeal often takes a lot of patience, strength, or bravery to get through.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

The math test was such an ordeal that I needed three cookies to recover.

Watching Grandma try to send a text message is a true ordeal.

It was an ordeal when I stepped on a Lego… twice.

The real ordeal isn’t going to the gym, it’s walking down the stairs the next day.

Listening to my friend describe their dream in extreme detail was a true ordeal.

The storm turned the hike into an ordeal. Rain pounded, the trail vanished, and each step was an ordeal. Her boot filled; the river roared; the cold was an ordeal. She bent, tears and mud on her face, saw a warm light ahead. She whispered, "This ordeal ends." One last pull, and the ordeal ended with a grateful laugh.

This word is at the C2 level, which means it represents the highest mastery of English. It’s often used in specialized or highly formal contexts and helps you communicate with precision and subtlety, much like a native speaker.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.