difficulty

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

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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

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

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

Synonyms for difficulty

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for difficulties

predicament, complication, dilemma, hardship, hazard, snag, obstacle, struggle, frustration, pain, trouble, deadlock, crisis, adversity, stress, anxiety, embarrassment, inconvenience, setback, strife

Examples from the Web for difficulties

Contemporary Examples of difficulties

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
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
But despite all the difficulties, the Omrans consider themselves among the lucky ones.
Beating Cancer & Dodging Israel's Bombs
Itay Hod
September 1, 2014
“It all comes from the difficulties of working with Bjork on Dancer in the Dark,” said Skarsgard.
Lars von Trier Breaks His Vow of Silence to Discuss ‘Nymphomaniac’ in Venice
Marlow Stern
September 1, 2014
New York took over as the epicenter of fashion due to the difficulties communicating with France during the war.
How World Wars Made Females More Androgynous
Liza Foreman
July 22, 2014

Historical Examples of difficulties

She was not a woman in the habit of reasoning, and had no conception of the difficulties in his way.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
As a last rally, he tried to picture the difficulties he might encounter.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
But let me tell you something of Champollion's difficulties.
Ancient Man
Hendrik Willem van Loon
Lake Torrens was reached, and then the difficulties of the expedition began.
Explorations in Australia
John Forrest
But this does not astonish us when we understand the difficulties which he was obliged to solve.
Ancient Man
Hendrik Willem van Loon

British Dictionary definitions for difficulties

difficulty

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

Word Origin and History for difficulties

difficulty

late 14c., from Old French difficulté, from Latin difficultatem (nominative difficultas) "difficulty, distress, poverty," from difficilis "hard," from dis- "not, away from" (see dis-) + facilis "easy" (see facile).