Labored Meaning in English

word · lemma: labor

US

ˈɫeɪbɝd

LAY-berd

UK

lˈeɪbɐ

LAY-bud

Definition

Describes something that requires a lot of effort, or something that sounds unnatural or forced.

Usage & Nuances

Often used with 'breathing' ('labored breathing' = hard to breathe). Can describe physical effort or unnatural speech/writing. Slightly formal, rarely used in casual speech about people, more for descriptions or medical contexts.

• Spanish: trabajoso - forzado
• Portuguese (BR): trabalhoso - forçado
• Portuguese (PT): trabalhoso - forçado
• Chinese (Simplified): 吃力的 - 做作的
• Chinese (Traditional): 喫力的 - 做作的
• Hindi: कठिन - अस्वाभाविक
• Arabic: مجهد - متصنع
• Bengali: কঠিন - ভারী (শ্বাস) - কষ্টসাধ্য
• Russian: затруднённый - натужный - неестественный
• Japanese: 苦しそうな - ぎこちない
• Vietnamese: khó nhọc - nặng nề (thở) - gượng gạo
• Korean: 힘겨운 - 억지스러운 - 고된
• Turkish: zahmetli - ağır (nefes) - yapmacık
• Urdu: مشقت والا - زبردستی کا - بھاری
• Indonesian: terengah-engah - dipaksakan - berat

Example Sentences

He took a labored breath after running.

basic

Her explanation sounded labored.

basic

The athlete moved with labored steps.

basic

His speech was so labored that it was hard to follow.

natural

She made a labored attempt to smile, but everyone noticed it wasn’t real.

natural

After climbing the stairs, his breathing became labored.

natural