difficulty — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The state of being difficult, or hard to do.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   My mom is old and has a lot of difficulty (in) remembering all her grandchildren's names.

2. An obstacle that hinders achievement of a goal.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   trouble

   Examples

   We faced a difficulty in trying to book a flight so late.

   The difficulties of photoheliography consist principally in the rapidity with which the sun's image acts upon the sensitive film.

   More examples (1)

   The two-hour debate was briefly stalled by a technical difficulty with the moderators’ microphones.

3. Physical danger from the environment, especially with risk of drowning

   Usage

   • Countable
   • in-plural
   • sometimes
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   2012 August 2, "Children rescued after getting into difficulties in Donegal" BBC Online

   The three teenagers, a girl and two boys, were playing by the river when it is believed they got into difficulty.

   More examples (2)

   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.

   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.

4. An objection.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

5. That which cannot be easily understood or believed.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

6. An awkward situation or quarrel.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

Noun

1. an effort that is inconvenient

   Synonyms

   trouble

   Broader terms

   effortelbow greaseexertiontravailsweat

   Examples

   I went to a lot of trouble

   he won without any trouble

   More examples (2)

   had difficulty walking

   finished the test only with great difficulty

2. the quality of being almost beyond one's ability to deal with and requiring a great effort to achieve a positive result

   Synonyms

   difficultness

   Antonyms

   ease

   Broader terms

   quality

   Examples

   they agreed about the difficulty of the climb