difficulty Synonyms & Antonyms
Choose a meaning, then find a word that fits your sentence.
Difficulty as a Noun
The state of being difficult, or hard to do.
An obstacle that hinders achievement of a goal.
We faced a difficulty in trying to book a flight so late.
(sometimes in the plural) Physical danger from the environment, especially with risk of drowning
2012 August 2, "Children rescued after getting into difficulties in Donegal" BBC Online
An objection.
That which cannot be easily understood or believed.
An awkward situation or quarrel.
Difficulty in a Sentence
We faced a difficulty in trying to book a flight so late.
2012 August 2, "Children rescued after getting into difficulties in Donegal" BBC Online
Word Forms & Grammar
difficulty (countable and uncountable, plural difficulties)
Words That Rhyme With Difficulty
Origin of Difficulty
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.
Difficulty at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈdɪfɪkəlti/ |
| Meaning | The state of being difficult, or hard to do |
| Plural | difficulties |