difficulty

UK: /ˈdɪfɪkəlti/ US: /ˈdɪfɪˌkʌlti/ ,(dif′i kul′tē, -kəl tē)

Inflections of 'difficulty' (n): npl: difficulties

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

dif•fi•cul•ty /ˈdɪfɪˌkʌlti/   n., pl. -ties. 

1. the fact or condition of being difficult:
   [uncountable] The difficulty of the courses was too much for some students.
2. Often, difficulties. [plural] an embarrassing situation, esp. of financial affairs:
   [countable] had difficulties paying our bills each month.
3. a disagreement or dispute:
   [countable] Because of some difficulties with scheduling, the new course was cancelled.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

dif•fi•cul•ty  (dif′i kul′tē, -kəl tē), n., pl. -ties. 

1. the fact or condition of being difficult.
2. Often, difficul•ties. an embarrassing situation, esp. of financial affairs.
3. a trouble or struggle.
4. a cause of trouble, struggle, or embarrassment.
5. a disagreement or dispute.
6. reluctance;
   unwillingness.
7. a demur;
   objection.
8. something that is hard to do, understand, or surmount;
   an impediment or obstacle.

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

Synonyms

• 2. dilemma, predicament, quandary, plight, fix, exigency, strait.
• 3. problem.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

difficulty / ˈdɪfɪk^əltɪ/ noun ( -ties)

1. the state or quality of being difficult
2. a task, problem, etc, that is hard to deal with
3. (often plural) a troublesome or embarrassing situation, esp a financial one
4. a dispute or disagreement
5. (often plural) an objection or obstacle
6. a trouble or source of trouble; worry
7. lack of ease; awkwardness

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin difficultās, from difficilis difficult, from dis- not + facilis easy, facile