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

Other Word Forms

• difficultly adverb
• nondifficult adjective
• quasi-difficult adjective
• quasi-difficultly adverb
• superdifficult adjective
• superdifficultly adverb
• undifficult adjective
• undifficultly 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

"My love for England, I think it's difficult to put into words. I love England so much - I love playing for England," Stones said.

From BBC

She said she also uses a food bank as it is difficult to buy additional food while living on the £9.95 a week she receives from the government.

From BBC

Saul Cahill, a work coach at a busy job centre in Gateshead and another PCS Union rep, says people with health conditions and disabled people are often the most difficult to support into work.

From BBC

England spinner Charlie Dean says the increase in scrutiny the team has faced since a difficult winter is a positive thing for their game.

From BBC

Max Lewis of WXIN-TV in Indianapolis reported Sunday that Tole’s family said that the cut “went through his cheek and hit his tongue,” making speech difficult.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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