difficulty

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

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.

Origin of difficulty

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

Other words for difficulty

2	dilemma, predicament, quandary, plight, fix, exigency, strait
3	problem

See synonyms for difficulty on Thesaurus.com

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. 2023

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 | THE DAILY BEAST
There are technical difficulties at the funeral home and things go awry.
Cremains of the Day | Jessica Ferri | October 10, 2014 | THE 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 | THE 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 | THE 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 | THE 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) /

nounplural -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 obstacle: he always makes difficulties
a trouble or source of trouble; worry
lack of ease; awkwardness: he could run only with difficulty

Origin of 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

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