difficulty

difficulty — noun

1. how much effort, skill, or mental work you need in order to do something, deal w

1.nounB1
Definition

how much effort, skill, or mental work you need in order to do something, deal with it, or understand it.

Example

Faisal finished the marathon despite the difficulty of the hilly course.

collocation: despite the difficulty

The difficulty of the maths problem made two students raise their hands for help.

collocation: the difficulty of [something]

Common collocations
  • great difficulty
  • considerable difficulty
  • extreme difficulty
  • with difficulty
  • without difficulty
  • the difficulty of [something]
Synonyms
  • hardship

    Focuses on suffering or deprivation rather than mere effort; heavier emotional weight

  • challenge

    More positive — suggests a rewarding test of ability, not just a burden

Antonyms
  • ease

    The quality of being easy or effortless

  • simplicity

    The quality of being simple or uncomplicated

Grammar Patterns

difficulty of [noun/gerund]

with/without difficulty

have difficulty (in) doing

Usage Note

Typically uncountable. Common in 'the difficulty of [something]' and 'with/without difficulty' structures.

Common Mistakes

I have many difficulties with this task.' (meaning it is hard)
I have great difficulty with this task.
Use the uncountable singular form to describe how hard something is, not the countable plural.

2. something that causes trouble or makes a task, situation, or relationship hard t

2.nounB1
Definition

something that causes trouble or makes a task, situation, or relationship hard to deal with.

Example

Christopher had difficulties finding a babysitter for Saturday night.

pattern: have difficulties (in) doing something

The company faced serious financial difficulties after the factory fire.

collocation: financial difficulties

Common collocations
  • financial difficulties
  • technical difficulties
  • practical difficulties
  • learning difficulties
  • face difficulties
  • cause difficulties
  • create difficulties
Synonyms
  • problem

    More general and everyday; can be small or large

  • obstacle

    Something that blocks progress or stands in the way

  • complication

    An unexpected difficulty that makes a situation more complex

Antonyms
  • solution

    A way to solve or fix a problem

  • advantage

    A condition that helps rather than hinders

Grammar Patterns

have difficulties (in) doing

face difficulties

cause difficulties

run into difficulties

Usage Note

Countable noun. When referring to many specific obstacles, the plural form 'difficulties' is the norm.

Common Mistakes

The new software created great difficulty for the team.' (when meaning specific bugs)
The new software created many difficulties for the team.
Use the plural countable form to refer to specific, separate problems.

3. a state in which a person, group, or organisation is experiencing trouble, hards

3.nounB2
Definition

a state in which a person, group, or organisation is experiencing trouble, hardship, or a challenging situation that is hard to escape from.

Example

The hikers were in serious difficulty when the storm hit without warning.

phrase: be in difficulty

Our team ran into difficulties when the main server stopped working.

phrase: run into difficulties

Common collocations
  • be in difficulty
  • get into difficulty
  • find oneself in difficulty
  • run into difficulties
  • have difficulties
Synonyms
  • trouble

    More general and conversational; used in the same fixed-phrase patterns

  • hardship

    Emphasises suffering or material deprivation in the difficult situation

  • adversity

    More formal; describes serious, long-lasting difficulty

Antonyms
  • ease

    A comfortable or effortless situation

  • prosperity

    A state of success and financial well-being

Grammar Patterns

be in difficulty

get into difficulty

find oneself in difficulty

have difficulties

run into difficulties

Usage Note

Fixed expressions only; this sense almost never appears as a standalone countable noun. The noun is typically singular in 'in difficulty' and plural in 'in difficulties' or 'have difficulties'.

Common Mistakes

She is in difficulties to finish the project.
She is having difficulty finishing the project.
Use 'have difficulty + -ing' for task-related obstacles; 'be in difficulties' refers to a general troubled state, not a single challenging task.

Word family

  • difficult
    adjectiveB1
  • difficultly
    adverbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Difficulty, hardship, and challenge all describe things that are not easy, but they differ in tone and scope. Difficulty is the most neutral and general — it simply describes something hard to do or understand, without extra emotion. Hardship focuses on material suffering or deprivation, such as poverty, illness, or loss, and carries a heavier emotional weight. Challenge is more positive and motivational: it suggests a task that tests your abilities but can be rewarding or exciting. For example, 'learning a new instrument is a difficulty' sounds purely factual, while 'learning a new instrument is a challenge' adds a sense of growth and determination. 'The family endured great hardship after the flood' describes real suffering, not just hard work.

difficultyhardshipchallenge

Common collocations

Phrases

  • have difficulty
  • face difficulty
  • experience difficulty

Prepositions

  • in
  • with
  • of
  • without

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin 'difficultas', which combines 'dis-' (meaning 'not') and 'facilis' (meaning 'easy'). The word entered English through Old French 'difficulte' in the 1300s, keeping its original idea of 'not easy'.