problem

[ prob-luhm ]
/ ˈprɒb ləm /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR problem ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty.
a question proposed for solution or discussion.
Mathematics. a statement requiring a solution, usually by means of a mathematical operation or geometric construction.

adjective

difficult to train or guide; unruly: a problem child.
Literature. dealing with choices of action difficult either for an individual or for society at large: a problem play.

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Idioms for problem

    no problem, (used as a conventional reply to a request or to express confirmation, affirmation, or gratitude).

Origin of problem

1350–1400; Middle English probleme < Latin problēma < Greek próblēma orig., obstacle, (akin to probállein to throw or lay before), equivalent to pro- pro-2 + -blē-, variant stem of bállein to throw (cf. parabola) + -ma noun suffix of result

OTHER WORDS FROM problem

sub·prob·lem, noun

Words nearby problem

probie, probiosis, probiotic, probit, probity, problem, problem page, problem-oriented record, problematic, problematics, proboscidate
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to problem

complication, dilemma, question, obstacle, trouble, dispute, issue, headache, box, predicament, crunch, mess, disagreement, quandary, scrape, hitch, botheration, doubt, squeeze, pickle

Example sentences from the Web for problem

British Dictionary definitions for problem

problem
/ (ˈprɒbləm) /

noun

  1. any thing, matter, person, etc, that is difficult to deal with, solve, or overcome
  2. (as modifier)a problem child
a puzzle, question, etc, set for solution
maths a statement requiring a solution usually by means of one or more operations or geometric constructions
(modifier) designating a literary work that deals with difficult moral questionsa problem play

Word Origin for problem

C14: from Late Latin problēma, from Greek: something put forward; related to proballein to throw forwards, from pro- ² + ballein to throw
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

Idioms and Phrases with problem

problem

see no problem.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.