What does laboriously mean?
Laboriously means with great effort, care, or difficulty, often in a way that is slow and painstaking. It describes actions that demand sustained attention or hard work, such as checking records, preparing a difficult report, or explaining something repeatedly. The word can suggest genuine diligence, but it may also imply that the process is inefficient, exhausting, or overly involved. It is commonly used in formal and literary contexts, where its length and formality give a description emphasis. “Laboriously” is the adverb formed from “laborious,” and its core idea is work performed with difficulty rather than ease. The word is especially useful when the effort involved is itself part of the story or explanation.
adverbIn a laborious manner, with great effort, effortlessness, and often over a long period. It can suggest that something is slow, difficult, or painstaking.
- With great effort, care, or difficulty, often in a slow or painstaking way.
"The researchers laborediously checked each entry against the original manuscript."
"The archivists laborediously reconstructed the missing pages."
"She laborediously explained the instructions to each new volunteer."
The word comes from a family of words rooted in the idea of work, reminding us that some tasks demand not just time but sustained human effort.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does laboriously come from?
The word belongs to the English family of “labor” and “laborious,” all ultimately connected with Latin laborare, meaning “to work” or “to toil.” The adjective “laborious” developed from Latin laboriosus, meaning “requiring much work or effort.” The adverb “laboriously” was formed in English by adding the suffix “-ly” to that adjective, and it retains the original emphasis on difficult, effortful work.
Related word forms
How laboriously is actually used
This is a formal or literary adverb. It often conveys that an action is laborious because it is slow, repetitive, or difficult, and it can sometimes sound mildly critical.