Difficulty — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms
Meaning & Definition of Difficulty
Difficulty (noun)
- the quality or state of being hard to do, deal with, or understand, the quality or state of being difficult
- something that is not easy to do or deal with
- controversy, disagreement
Word Forms of Difficulty
Inflections: difficulties
Origin & Etymology of Difficulty
Middle English difficulte, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French difficulté, borrowed from Latin difficultāt-, difficultās, from difficilis "hard to do, troublesome, intractable" (from dif-, probably assimilated form of dis- dis- + facilis "easy, accommodating") + -tāt-, -tās -ty facile
First known use: 14th century
Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Difficulty
- CEFR level: A2 English Vocabulary — Page 5
- Topics: Feelings & Emotions
Words & Phrases Containing Difficulty
Frequently Asked Questions about Difficulty
What does "Difficulty" mean?
"Difficulty" means the quality or state of being hard to do, deal with, or understand, the quality or state of being difficult. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or state of being hard to do, deal with, or understand, the quality or state of being difficult. It has 3 distinct senses.
Is "Difficulty" a noun, verb, or adjective?
"Difficulty" is a noun.
Is "Difficulty" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?
As an A2-level word, "Difficulty" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.
How do you pronounce "Difficulty"?
"Difficulty" is pronounced /ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəl-tē/ and divided into syllables as dif·fi·cul·ty.
What is the origin of the word "Difficulty"?
"Difficulty" comes from Middle English difficulte, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French difficulté, borrowed from Latin difficultāt-, difficultās, from difficilis "hard to do, troublesome, intractable" (from dif-, probably assimilated form of dis- dis- + facilis "easy, accommodating") + -tāt-, -tās -ty facile. First known use: 14th century.
What CEFR level is "Difficulty"?
"Difficulty" is an A2-level word in SophDict's CEFR vocabulary lists, which group English words from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficient).
What topics is "Difficulty" used in?
"Difficulty" is commonly used in topics such as Feelings & Emotions.
What are the forms of "Difficulty"?
The word forms of "Difficulty" include difficulties.