What is laborious? Pronunciation and usage in English

laborious means . Learn how to pronounce and use laborious through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of laborious

laboriousadjective

/ləˈbɔːriəs//ləˈbɔːriəs/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "laborious." It can be a tricky word! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables: The word is generally divided into three syllables:

  • la - bor - ious

2. Pronunciation Guide:

  • la: Pronounced like the "la" in "lava" - /læ/ (sounds like "lay" without the "y")
  • bor: Pronounced like "bore" - /bɔːr/ (like "bore" as in bored, but slightly softer)
  • i: Pronounced like the "i" in "bit" - /ɪ/ (a short, quick "i" sound)
  • ous: This is the tricky part. It's pronounced like "us" but with a little more emphasis and a longer vowel sound. It sounds something like /uːs/ (think of the "oo" in "food" followed by "s")

Putting it together:

/læ bɔːr ɪ uːs/

Tips for clarity:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the second syllable, "bor."
  • Flow: Try to link the syllables smoothly together. Don't chop them up.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to get the sound right is to hear it. Here are a few resources:

Would you like me to break down any part of the pronunciation further, or perhaps give you some example sentences to hear it in context?

Usage and examples with the word laborious in English

Let's break down how to use the word "laborious." It's a lovely word that describes something that requires a lot of effort and is often difficult.

1. Meaning:

  • Core meaning: "Laborious" means involving or requiring a lot of hard work or effort; difficult and tiring. It suggests a strenuous and demanding task.
  • Synonyms: arduous, strenuous, difficult, tiring, exhausting, demanding, toilsome.

2. How to Use It – Examples:

Here’s how you’d typically incorporate “laborious” into sentences:

  • Describing a task: “The construction of the ancient pyramids was a truly laborious undertaking, requiring immense manpower and years of dedication.” (Emphasizes the hard work and duration.)
  • Describing a job: "Working as a coal miner in the 19th century was a laborious profession, fraught with danger and intense physical exertion." (Highlights the difficulty and strain of the job.)
  • Describing a process: “The process of translating ancient texts is often laborious, requiring careful attention to detail and a deep understanding of the language and culture.” (Focuses on the demanding nature of the work.)
  • Describing a lifestyle: "Living off the land in a remote area can be a laborious way of life, involving long hours of physical labor and limited comforts." (Connects the difficulty to a broader way of existence.)
  • Describing a creative endeavor: “Writing a novel is a laborious process – countless hours of research, drafting, and revising.” (Emphasizes the mental and emotional effort involved.)

3. Grammatical Notes:

  • Adjective: “Laborious” is always an adjective – it describes a noun. For example, “laborious work,” “a laborious journey,” “a laborious task.”
  • It can be intensified: You can intensify it by adding words like “extremely” or "incredibly" - “an extremely laborious project”.

4. Things to Consider:

  • Tone: “Laborious” can sound a bit formal or old-fashioned. It's not a word you’d use in everyday casual conversation. It’s generally suitable for more formal writing or speech.
  • Alternatives: If you want a slightly less formal option to describe something difficult, consider words like "challenging," "demanding," or "difficult."

5. Examples in Different Contexts:

  • Negative: “The laborious climb up the mountain left me exhausted.” (Suggests the climb was difficult and tiring.)
  • Neutral: “The laborious sorting of the data was a necessary step in the research process.” (Simply states that the sorting process involved a significant amount of work.)
  • Positive (with a touch of admiration): “The artist’s laborious brushstrokes revealed the depth of her emotion.” (Suggests the artist dedicated immense effort and skill.)

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write about? (e.g., a historical event, a job, a creative process?)
  • What is the overall tone you're aiming for? (e.g., formal, informal, descriptive, analytical?)

Synonyms for the word laborious

Practice with vocabulary laborious

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The archaeological dig was a truly _______ undertaking, requiring months of careful excavation and documentation.
  2. Creating a detailed financial model for the entire company proved to be a _______ process, demanding countless hours of data input and analysis.
  3. Her approach to compiling research data was incredibly _______, ensuring that every source was cross-referenced and verified.
  4. Implementing the new software system across all departments was a _______ task, but ultimately it streamlined our operations significantly.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words best describe a task that requires a great deal of sustained effort and time? a) simple b) arduous c) effortless d) laborious e) demanding

  2. If a complex bureaucratic procedure is slow and difficult to navigate, it could be called: a) swift b) cumbersome c) facile d) laborious e) straightforward

  3. Preparing the annual sustainability report for a large corporation often involves extensive data collection, numerous consultations, and detailed writing. Such a task is likely: a) trivial b) taxing c) manageable d) laborious e) uncomplicated

  4. The editor's _______ review of the manuscript caught several subtle errors that others had missed. a) cursory b) careless c) meticulous d) perfunctory

  5. The architect's design for the new museum was notably _______, featuring multiple interconnected levels and a striking geometric façade. a) straightforward b) unambiguous c) intricate d) simple

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The process of manually sorting through thousands of historical documents was extremely time-consuming and difficult. Rewrite: (Use "laborious" or a related word form)

  2. Original: Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a global product launch requires a huge amount of effort and careful planning. Rewrite: (Use "laborious" or a related word form)

  3. Original: The artist's attention to every small detail in the painting was remarkable, ensuring perfect realism. Rewrite: (Do not use "laborious", use a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The archaeological dig was a truly laborious undertaking, requiring months of careful excavation and documentation.
  2. Creating a detailed financial model for the entire company proved to be a laborious process, demanding countless hours of data input and analysis.
  3. Her approach to compiling research data was incredibly meticulous, ensuring that every source was cross-referenced and verified.
  4. Implementing the new software system across all departments was a challenging task, but ultimately it streamlined our operations significantly.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) arduous, d) laborious, e) demanding
  2. b) cumbersome, d) laborious
  3. b) taxing, d) laborious
  4. c) meticulous
  5. c) intricate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Rewrite: Manually sorting through thousands of historical documents was a laborious process.
  2. Rewrite: Developing a comprehensive marketing strategy for a global product launch is a laborious undertaking.
  3. Rewrite: The artist's meticulous attention to every small detail in the painting was remarkable, ensuring perfect realism.

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