labored
UK/'leibәd/US
GREA2
Definitions
adj.
Done with obvious effort; not natural or easy
费力的；不自然的，生硬的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedOriginally the past participle of labor (to work hard), now used as an adjective: something that shows the strain of effort. Labored breathing is heavy and forced; a labored joke or style feels stiff and over-worked rather than effortless.
Root labor still carries 12 more wordsUsage Guide
Two distinct uses: literal physical strain (labored breathing — common in medical contexts) and figurative artistic stiffness (a labored metaphor, labored prose — meaning over-worked and unnatural). British spelling: laboured.
Example Sentences
- 1.
His breathing was labored after the long climb.
- 2.
The humor felt labored and fell flat.