Difficulty Meaning
/ˈdɪfɪkəlti/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounThe state of being difficult, or hard to do.
nounAn obstacle that hinders achievement of a goal.
Sentence Examples
Sometimes he has difficulty being articulate about his views.
I think you'll have very little difficulty in getting a driver's license.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
She overcame every ____ during the training and finished the race successfully.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Sometimes he has ____ being articulate about his views.
Word Origin & History
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.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The difficulties of photoheliography consist principally in the rapidity with which the sun's image acts upon the sensitive film."
— 1860, Photographic news for amateur photographers, volumes 3-4, page 113:
"The two-hour debate was briefly stalled by a technical difficulty with the moderators’ microphones."
— 2019 June 27, Lauren Gambino, “Democratic 2020 candidates clash on healthcare, immigration and economy in first debate”, in The Guardian:
"The three teenagers, a girl and two boys, were playing by the river when it is believed they got into difficulty."
— 2016 February 24, Catherine Shanahan, “Boy, 13, drowns after getting into difficulty in river”, in Irish Examiner:
"Members of the public had called 999 as they were concerned the kayaker was in difficulty around the headland race due to very strong spring tides and choppy seas with the kayaker making no headway."
— 2016 March 14, “Kayaker rescued after getting into difficulty”, in Bournemouth Echo:
"A group of young people had to be rescued from Dartmoor on Friday night after getting into difficulty during a Duke of Edinburgh exercise. […] A 16-year-old girl required medical attention and a medic was winched down to the site by helicopter."
— 2016 March 19, Neil Shaw, “Teens rescued from Dartmoor after getting into difficulty”, in Plymouth Herald:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She overcame every ____ during the training and finished the race successfully.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Sometimes he has ____ being articulate about his views.