A1adjective 1K

Difficult

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/"]/

Meaning of Difficult

not easy; needing effort or skill to do or to understand

In simple words: Hard to do or understand.

Difficult in a sentence

• This math problem is really difficult.
• She found it difficult to understand the instructions.
• Learning a new language can be difficult at first.
• The climb was difficult, but we made it to the top.
• He's been facing difficult challenges in his career.

How to use Difficult

Use 'difficult' when describing tasks, problems, or situations that require a lot of effort. Avoid in very casual conversations; instead, use synonyms like 'hard.'

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'difficult' like climbing a steep hill – a tough challenge!

Related words

Collocations with Difficult

• be
• look
• prove
• extremely
• fairly
• very
• be
• look
• prove
• extremely
• fairly
• very

Synonyms for Difficult

• awkward

Opposites of Difficult

• easy
• simple
• straightforward

Common mistakes with Difficult

• 'Difficult' is often confused with 'hard.'
• Some learners use 'difficult' in place of 'complicated.'
• Misplacing 'difficult' in a sentence, like saying 'it's difficult to me' instead of 'it's difficult for me.'

Frequently asked questions about Difficult

What does Difficult mean?

Hard to do or understand.

What is the definition of Difficult?

not easy; needing effort or skill to do or to understand

How do you use Difficult in a sentence?

This math problem is really difficult.

Can you give another example of Difficult?

She found it difficult to understand the instructions.

What are synonyms for Difficult?

Common alternatives include awkward.

What is the opposite of Difficult?

Opposite meanings include easy, simple, straightforward.

What words go with Difficult?

It commonly pairs with be, look, prove, extremely, fairly, very, be, look, prove, extremely, fairly, very.

What are common mistakes when using Difficult?

'Difficult' is often confused with 'hard.' Some learners use 'difficult' in place of 'complicated.' Misplacing 'difficult' in a sentence, like saying 'it's difficult to me' instead of 'it's difficult for me.'

How do you pronounce Difficult?

US: /["/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/"]/, UK: /["/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Difficult?

Use 'difficult' when describing tasks, problems, or situations that require a lot of effort. Avoid in very casual conversations; instead, use synonyms like 'hard.'

What CEFR level is Difficult?

"Difficult" is at A1 level on the CEFR scale.