Words / C1

HAHDSH-ip/ˈhɑːdʃɪp/

Hardship is severe difficulty, especially poverty or want: financial hardship, hardship funding. Difficulty is everyday and milder; suffering is broader. Hard is the adjective. Do not call a busy Tuesday hardship.

Meaning

Severe difficulty, especially a lack of money or comfort.

Examples

• “Travel hardship, not laziness, explained the night-class drop-out.”
• “Travel hardship, not “low motivation”, explained the night-class drop-out.”
• “A hardship fund is for rent and fares; it is not a prize for a late essay.”

Good to know

Severe difficulty / want. Everyday milder: difficulty. Adjective root: hard. Not ordinary busyness.

Near in meaning

difficulty

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