difficulty

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

/ ˈdɪf ɪˌkʌl ti, -kəl ti /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR difficulty 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

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

SYNONYMS 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.

Words nearby difficulty

differentiate, differentiation, differentiator, difficile, difficult, difficulty, diffidence, diffident, diffluence, diffluent, difflugia

Example sentences from the Web for 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 |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
But despite all the difficulties, the Omrans consider themselves among the lucky ones.

Beating Cancer & Dodging Israel's Bombs |Itay Hod |September 1, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
“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 |DAILY BEAST

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 |DAILY BEAST
I could not help wishing that I had gone with them, to share the difficulties and dangers they might meet.

The Wanderers |W.H.G. Kingston
It set him thinking that it might be a prudish strain in the young man's mind, due to the System in difficulties.

The Ordeal of Richard Feverel, Complete |George Meredith
Night and day he had been examining evidence, pondering the difficulties to be overcome, and the chances of success.

The Catholic World, Vol. X, October 1869 |Various
The transportation of certain kinds of seeds over long distances, especially on sea voyages, is often beset with difficulties.

The Nursery Book |Liberty Hyde Bailey
That there are difficulties in the way of believing thus, I grant; that there are impossibilities, I deny.

Hope of the Gospel |George MacDonald

British Dictionary definitions for difficulties

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 obstacle he always makes difficulties

a trouble or source of trouble; worry

lack of ease; awkwardness he could run only with difficulty

Word Origin for difficulty

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

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

difficulty

noun, plural dif·fi·cul·ties.

Origin of difficulty

SYNONYMS FOR difficulty

OTHER WORDS FROM difficulty

Words nearby difficulty

Example sentences from the Web for difficulties

British Dictionary definitions for difficulties

noun plural -ties

Word Origin for difficulty

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

difficulty

noun, plural dif·fi·cul·ties.

Origin of difficulty

SYNONYMS FOR difficulty

OTHER WORDS FROM difficulty

Words nearby difficulty

Words related to difficulties

Example sentences from the Web for difficulties

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for difficulties

noun plural -ties

Word Origin for difficulty

British Dictionary definitions for difficulties