Words / A2

DIF-ik-uh-lt/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/

Difficult means not easy. A difficult question. Hard is the everyday synonym. Difficult to + verb: it is difficult to remember. Difficulty is the noun, often uncountable: have difficulty -ing. Tough is informal.

Meaning

Not easy to do, understand, or deal with.

Examples

• “The last question was difficult.”
• “English spelling can be difficult.”
• “She finds maths difficult.”

Good to know

difficult to + verb. Noun: difficulty. Everyday: hard.

Near in meaning

hard, tough

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