adj.
Pronunciation: ' är-j ə -w ə s, -dyu ̇ -, -jü- ə s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin arduus high, steep, difficult; akin to Old Irish ard high
Date: 1538
1 a : hard to accomplish or achieve : DIFFICULT <years of arduous training> b : marked by great labor or effort : STRENUOUS <a life of arduous toil ― A. C. Cole>
2 : hard to climb : STEEP <an arduous path>
synonyms see HARD
– ar · du · ous · ly adverb
– ar · du · ous · ness noun