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.

Example Sentences

"When he's in the team, you can sense something that is different. It's difficult to put a finger on it, but it's different."

From BBC

It would be fitting for him to overtake the Australian legend in Melbourne, where he has enjoyed huge success over the years, but he had a difficult 2024 by his high standards.

From BBC

Russell said Mercedes had not expected their pace this weekend after a difficult run of races.

From BBC

This difficult angle allows him to ask more pointed questions about consumption and labor.

From New York Times

It has warned this could cause severe flooding and damage to property in the affected areas, as well as difficult driving conditions.

From BBC

Related Words

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