difficulty

[ dif-i-kuhl-tee ]

noun

, plural dif·fi·cul·ties.

1. the fact or condition of being difficult.
2. Often difficulties. an embarrassing situation, especially of financial affairs.

   Synonyms: strait, exigency, fix, plight, quandary, predicament, dilemma

3. a trouble or struggle.

   Synonyms: problem

4. a cause of trouble, struggle, or embarrassment.
5. a disagreement or dispute.
6. reluctance; unwillingness.
7. a demur; objection.
8. something that is hard to do, understand, or surmount; an impediment or obstacle.

difficulty

/ ˈdɪfɪkəltɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being difficult
2. a task, problem, etc, that is hard to deal with
3. often plural a troublesome or embarrassing situation, esp a financial one
4. a dispute or disagreement
5. often plural an objection or obstacle

   he always makes difficulties

6. a trouble or source of trouble; worry
7. lack of ease; awkwardness

   he could run only with difficulty

Other Words From

• pre·dif·fi·cul·ty noun plural predifficulties

Word History and Origins

Origin of difficulty¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English difficulte, from Anglo-French, from Latin difficultās, equivalent to difficil(is) difficile + -tās -ty ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of difficulty¹

C14: from Latin difficultās, from difficilis difficult, from dis- not + facilis easy, facile

Example Sentences

Vocational assessor Elva Breen said that after the incident, Ms Hand found great difficulty in working in a customer-facing role and was struggling with significant anxiety and panic attacks.

From BBC

The online nature of the world post-2020, coupled with the difficulty in raising sponsorship funds for a discovery-focused game event, has put most of IndieCade’s offerings, including its annual awards, on the web, but the party-focused celebration that is Night Games has endured.

From Los Angeles Times

It works by reducing cravings for nicotine and blocking its effect on the brain, while also helping with withdrawal symptoms, such as feeling irritable or having difficulty sleeping.

From BBC

New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says he is under "no illusions" as to the difficulty of the job facing him at Old Trafford.

From BBC

Some had difficulty sleeping and eating.

From BBC

Related Words

• anxiety
• complication
• crisis
• embarrassment
• frustration
• inconvenience
• misery
• predicament
• pressure
• setback
• stress
• strife
• struggle
• trouble
• worry