difficulty

[dif-i-kuhl-tee]

noun

plural

difficulties 

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 Word Forms

• predifficulty noun

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

Across the UK, students in financial difficulty can apply for hardship funding and may also be entitled to financial assistance from charities, such as The Harper Trust.

From BBC

In Angola's main cities, the many jobless young people, who are no longer in school, highlight the state's difficulty in meeting their aspirations.

From BBC

“Can you honestly imagine a guy like you having difficulty seducing a woman?”

From Los Angeles Times

Among the biggest difficulties facing Skipper are rallying team morale and keeping the roster intact after a winless start that led to the firing of the coach who brought these players into the program.

From Los Angeles Times

His family called for an ambulance after he had been unwell for several days and began experiencing breathing difficulties at his home in the Beechmount area of west Belfast.

From BBC

Related Words

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