difficulty

difficulty

---

Pronunciation

The word "difficulty" is pronounced as follows:

• difficulty /dɪfɪkʌlti/

• dif- /dɪf/

• fi- /ɪ/

• cul- /kʌl/

• ty /ti/

---

Word Form Variations

• Singular Noun: difficulty

• Plural Noun: difficulties

---

---

Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

• Definition 1: The state or quality of being hard to do, understand, or deal with; something that requires considerable effort or skill to accomplish or overcome.

• Synonyms: challenge, problem, obstacle, hardship, predicament, struggle, adversity

• Antonyms: ease, simplicity, effortlessness, facility, straightforwardness

• Definition 2: An instance of trouble or an impediment that hinders progress or makes a situation complicated.

• Synonyms: complication, hindrance, impediment, obstruction, stumbling block, setback, snag

• Antonyms: advantage, benefit, aid, help, assistance, facilitation

---

Examples of Use

• Books: "The greatest difficulty in the world is not for people to accept new ideas, but to make them forget old ideas." (John Maynard Keynes, The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money, February 1936)

• Newspapers: "Doctors warn of increasing difficulty accessing specialist care due to staffing shortages." (The Guardian)

• Online Publications: "Startups often face significant difficulty in securing initial funding without a proven business model." (TechCrunch)

• Entertainment Mediums (Film): In the film Apollo 13, the flight director famously states, "Failure is not an option," highlighting the immense difficulty of their mission to bring the astronauts home safely.

• Entertainment Platforms (Video Games): Many video games feature adjustable difficulty settings, allowing players to choose between "easy," "normal," "hard," or "expert" modes to tailor the challenge to their skill level.

• General Public Discourse: "We're experiencing some difficulty with our internet connection right now, so please bear with us." (Heard in a customer service call)

• General Public Discourse: "Overcoming the difficulty of learning a new language takes dedication and consistent practice." (Common sentiment expressed in language learning communities)

---

---

10 Quotes Using Difficulty

1. "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." (Winston Churchill)

2. "In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." (Albert Einstein)

3. "The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it." (Epictetus)

4. "It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult." (Seneca the Younger)

5. "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." (John Quincy Adams)

6. "The difficulty is not so great to die for a friend, as to find a friend worth dying for." (Homer)

7. "Out of difficulties grow miracles." (Jean de La Bruyère)

8. "Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success." (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam)

9. "The difficulties and struggles of today are but the price we must pay for the accomplishments and victories of tomorrow." (William J.H. Boetcker)

10. "When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure." (Peter Marshall)

---

Etymology

The word "difficulty" has a bit of a journey through different languages to get to us!

It first appeared in English during the Middle English period, sometime before 1382. Its earliest meaning was "the want of easiness" or "that quality which makes something laborious or perplexing."

The word "difficulty" comes from:

• Old French: difficulté

• Which in turn came from Latin: difficultas

Now, let's break down that Latin word:

• difficultas itself came from difficilis, meaning "hard to do" or "difficult."

• difficilis is made up of two parts:

• "dis-": This is a Latin prefix that generally means "not," "apart," or "away from."

• "facilis": This Latin word means "easy to do," coming from facere which means "to do."

So, you can see how "difficulty" literally meant something that is "not easy to do." It carried the idea of something being "away from ease" or "the opposite of easy." This original sense of something requiring effort or presenting a challenge has stayed with the word right up to today.

---

---

Phrases + Idioms Containing Difficulty

• In difficulty: Facing trouble or problems.

• Run into difficulty/difficulties: To encounter problems or obstacles.

• Experience difficulties: To go through a period of trouble or challenges.

• Difficulty breathing: A medical symptom indicating trouble with respiration.

• Get into difficulties: To find oneself in a troublesome or perilous situation.

• Considerable difficulty: A significant amount of trouble or challenge.

• The greatest difficulty: The most significant challenge.

• Without difficulty: Easily, with no problems.

• Facing a difficulty: Confronting a problem.

• Make difficulties for (someone/something): To create problems or obstacles for someone or something.

---

Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

---

Source Information

Definition of difficulty from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

---