What does "difficulty" mean?
The state of being difficult, or hard to do.
Difficulty
/ˈdɪfɪkəlti/ noun
noun ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The state of being difficult, or hard to do.
- Grammar: difficulty is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: abstruseness, adverse circumstances, adversities, adversity.
- Useful contrasts: educational concept, smooth movement, zero friction.
- Usage evidence: Sometimes he has difficulty being articulate about his views.
How to use "difficulty"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "difficulty" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "difficulty" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "difficulty" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "difficulty" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "difficulty" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "abstruseness" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "difficulty", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The state of being difficult, or hard to do. countable, uncountable
"My mom is old and has a lot of difficulty (in) remembering all her grandchildren's names."
- 2 an effort that is inconvenient wordnet
- 3 An obstacle that hinders achievement of a goal. countable, uncountable
"We faced a difficulty in trying to book a flight so late."
- 4 the quality of being almost beyond one's ability to deal with and requiring a great effort to achieve a positive result wordnet
- 5 Physical danger from the environment, especially with risk of drowning countable, in-plural, sometimes, uncountable
"2012 August 2, "Children rescued after getting into difficulties in Donegal" BBC Online"
Show 3 more definitions
- 6 An objection. countable, uncountable
- 7 That which cannot be easily understood or believed. countable, uncountable
- 8 An awkward situation or quarrel. countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Sometimes he has difficulty being articulate about his views."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "difficulty"?
Common synonyms include: abstruseness, adverse circumstances, adversities, adversity, affliction, against all odds.
How do you use "difficulty" in a sentence?
Sometimes he has difficulty being articulate about his views.
How do you pronounce "difficulty"?
Pronounced /ˈdɪfɪkəlti/.
Etymology
From Middle English difficulte, from Middle French and Anglo-Norman difficulte and their etymon Latin difficultas, from difficul, older form of difficilis (“hard to do, difficult”), from dis- + facilis (“easy”); see difficile and difficult. Equivalent to dis- + facile + -ty. Also analysable as difficult + -y, though the adjective is historically a backformation from the noun.