Skip to definition.
Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps


Adjective: arduous  aa(r)-joo-us or aa(r)-dyoo-us
  1. Characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
    "worked their arduous way up the mining valley";
    - backbreaking, grueling [US], gruelling [Brit, Cdn], hard, heavy, laborious, operose, punishing, toilsome, killing [informal]
     
  2. Taxing to the utmost; testing powers of endurance
    "your willingness after these six arduous days to remain here";
    - straining, strenuous
     
  3. Difficult to accomplish; demanding considerable mental effort and skill
    "the arduous work of preparing a dictionary"

See also: difficult, effortful, hard