Words / B1

DIF-ik-uh-ltee/ˈdɪfɪkəlti/

Difficulty is the state of being hard, or a problem you must deal with: have difficulty + -ing; financial difficulties. A challenge often sounds more positive; a problem is everyday. With difficulty means it was not easy. Difficult is the adjective. Do not write “have difficulty to do” — use -ing. The plural difficulties often means a series of problems.

Meaning

The state of being hard to do, or a problem that you have to deal with.

Examples

• “She had difficulty understanding the instructions.”
• “He had difficulty finding a parking space.”
• “The team got into difficulty on the mountain.”

Good to know

have difficulty + -ing. with difficulty. Plural: difficulties. Positive neighbour: challenge. Adjective: difficult.

Near in meaning

problem

New