difficult

[ dif-i-kuhlt, -kuhlt ]

adjective

1. not easily or readily done; requiring much labor, skill, or planning to be performed successfully; hard:

   a difficult job.

   Synonyms: arduous

   Antonyms: easy

2. hard to understand or solve:

   a difficult problem.

   Synonyms: knotty, involved, intricate

   Antonyms: simple

3. hard to deal with or get on with:

   a difficult pupil.

4. hard to please or satisfy:

   a difficult employer.

   Synonyms: fussy, finical, particular

5. hard to persuade or induce; stubborn:

   a difficult old man.

   Synonyms: uncompromising, obdurate

6. disadvantageous; trying; hampering:

   The operation was performed under the most difficult conditions.

7. fraught with hardship, especially financial hardship:

   We saw some difficult times during the depression years.

difficult

/ ˈdɪfɪkəlt /

adjective

1. not easy to do; requiring effort

   a difficult job

2. not easy to understand or solve; intricate

   a difficult problem

3. hard to deal with; troublesome

   a difficult child

4. not easily convinced, pleased, or satisfied

   a difficult audience

5. full of hardships or trials

   difficult times ahead

Derived Forms

• ˈdifficultly, adverb

Other Words From

• diffi·cultly adverb
• non·diffi·cult adjective
• quasi-diffi·cult adjective
• quasi-diffi·cultly adverb
• super·diffi·cult adjective
• super·diffi·cultly adverb
• un·diffi·cult adjective
• un·diffi·cultly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of difficult¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, back formation from difficulty ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of difficult¹

C14: back formation from difficulty

Synonym Study

See hard.

Related Words

• ambitious
• arduous
• burdensome
• challenging
• crucial
• demanding
• laborious
• onerous
• painful
• problematic
• severe
• strenuous
• tough
• troublesome