difficulty

[ dif-i-kuhl-tee, -kuhl-tee ]

/ ˈdɪf ɪˌkʌl ti, -kəl ti /

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See synonyms for: difficulty / difficulties on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural dif·fi·cul·ties.

the fact or condition of being difficult.

Often difficul·ties. an embarrassing situation, especially of financial affairs.

a trouble or struggle.

a cause of trouble, struggle, or embarrassment.

a disagreement or dispute.

reluctance; unwillingness.

a demur; objection.

something that is hard to do, understand, or surmount; an impediment or obstacle.

OTHER WORDS FOR difficulty

2 dilemma, predicament, quandary, plight, fix, exigency, strait.

3 problem.

See synonyms for difficulty on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of difficulty

1350–1400; Middle English difficulte (<Anglo-French ) <Latin difficultās, equivalent to difficil(is) difficile + -tās-ty²

OTHER WORDS FROM difficulty

pre·dif·fi·cul·ty, noun, plural pre·dif·fi·cul·ties.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use difficulty in a sentence

Any difficulties we experience now are not as horrible as the constant fear of bombs.
Where Chechens Go to Escape Their Surreal Past—and Risky Present|Anna Nemtsova|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are technical difficulties at the funeral home and things go awry.
Cremains of the Day|Jessica Ferri|October 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In July 2013, I questioned Cipriani about the difficulties had while trying to open Bomba.
The Battle to Be King of Ibiza Nightlife|Melanie Mendelewitsch|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The announcement drew enough traffic to crash the UN Women website and caused the site technical difficulties for 12 hours.
From Hermione to U.N. Heroine: Emma Watson’s ‘Badass’ Transformation|Asawin Suebsaeng|September 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Germans faced numerous technical difficulties in counterfeiting British and American money.
On the Trail of Nazi Counterfeiters|Dr. Kevin C. Ruffner|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Distances were to him as nothing; and difficulties only stimulated him to give his adversaries a more signal overthrow.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The watchword of conduct that will clear up all our difficulties is, the plain truth.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
The Minister pointed out to them the attendant difficulties, and referred them to the Prime Minister.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
Now this is what we call a "pursuit of knowledge under difficulties" of the most obstinate kind.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
Money was again required to carry the reeling firm through unexpected difficulties.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various

British Dictionary definitions for difficulty

difficulty

/ (ˈdɪfɪkəltɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the state or quality of being difficult

a task, problem, etc, that is hard to deal with

(often plural) a troublesome or embarrassing situation, esp a financial one

a dispute or disagreement

(often plural) an objection or obstaclehe always makes difficulties

a trouble or source of trouble; worry

lack of ease; awkwardnesshe could run only with difficulty

Word Origin for difficulty

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

difficulty

OTHER WORDS FOR difficulty

Origin of difficulty

OTHER WORDS FROM difficulty

Words related to difficulty

How to use difficulty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for difficulty

Word Origin for difficulty