arduous

/ˈɑrdʒəwəs/

/ˈɑdʒuəs/

Use the adjective arduous to describe an activity that takes a lot of effort. Writing all those college essays and filling out the applications is an arduous process!

Arduous was first used in English to mean "steep" or "difficult to climb." If you're an outdoorsman, hiking up a mountain is a lot of fun, but if you're a couch potato, it's an arduous trek. Today, the word can be used figuratively for something that is difficult or takes a lot of work. If you spend an arduous week studying for your final exams, you'll do well because you've worked really hard!

Definitions of arduous

1. adjective

   characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
   “worked their arduous way up the mining valley”

   synonyms: backbreaking, grueling, gruelling, hard, heavy, laborious, operose, punishing, toilsome

   effortful

   requiring great physical effort
2. adjective

   difficult to accomplish; demanding considerable mental effort and skill
   “the arduous work of preparing a dictionary”

   synonyms:

   difficult, hard

   not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
3. adjective

   taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance
   “"your willingness after these six arduous days to remain here"- F.D.Roosevelt”

   synonyms: straining, strenuous

   effortful

   requiring great physical effort