problem

[ prob-luhm ]

/ ˈprɒb ləm /

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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.

Words nearby problem

probie, probiosis, probiotic, probit, probity, problem, problem page, problem-oriented record, problematic, problematics, proboscidate

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

SYNONYMS FOR problem

1, 2 puzzle, riddle, enigma.

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ANTONYMS FOR problem

1 certitude.

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Examples from the Web for problem

Every once in a while, they act swiftly and acknowledge the problem.
Today’s GOP: Still Cool With Racist Pandering?|Michael Tomasky|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Part of the problem is the mandate of the war and the means with which the U.S. is fighting it do not match up.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The third problem is the evidence of corroborating witnesses.
Buckingham Palace Disputes Sex Allegations Against Prince ‘Randy Andy’|Tom Sykes|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But this physical involvement, or lack of it, is only part of the problem.
Flight 8501 Poses Question: Are Modern Jets Too Automated to Fly?|Clive Irving|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Anyone who tries to draw attention to threats instead of quietly burying them is worsening the problem.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It must be acknowledged, however, that the problem which faced this General was one of great difficulty.
The Great Boer War|Arthur Conan Doyle
Adams left the problem as he found it, and came north to stumble over others, less picturesque but nearer.
The Education of Henry Adams|Henry Adams
Indeed, in almost every case that required a thorough comprehension of the Mexican problem, he blundered.
The War With Mexico, Volume I (of 2)|Justin H. Smith
But on the other side the complete solution of this problem leads either to Spinozistic or to Leibnitzian dogmatism.
Solomon Maimon: An Autobiography.|Solomon Maimon
Over this problem both ranchman and soldier, Arnold and Stout, looked grave indeed.
An Apache Princess|Charles King

British Dictionary definitions for problem

problem

/ (ˈprɒbləm) /

noun

any thing, matter, person, etc, that is difficult to deal with, solve, or overcome
(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.

problem

noun

adjective

Words related to problem

Words nearby problem

Idioms for problem

Origin of problem

SYNONYMS FOR problem

ANTONYMS FOR problem

OTHER WORDS FROM problem

Examples from the Web for problem

British Dictionary definitions for problem

noun

Word Origin for problem

Idioms and Phrases with problem