Cool MateDifficult vs Tough
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Difficult
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adjective
Tough
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
| Difficult | Tough | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdɪfɪkəlt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/tʌf/"]/🇺🇸 /["/tʌf/"]/ |
| Meaning | Hard to do or understand. | Hard or difficult to deal with |
| Example | This math problem is really difficult. | The competition was tough, but I managed to win first place. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, look, prove, extremely, fairly, very, be, look, prove, extremely, fairly, very | be, seem, get, extremely, fairly, very, on, be, become, get, extremely, fairly, very, on, with, appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very, appear, be, feel, extremely, fairly, very |
| Antonyms | easy, simple, straightforward | easy, soft, gentle |
| Common mistakes | '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.' | Using 'tough' as a noun — 'He is a tough' should be 'He is tough'., Confusing 'tough' with 'though' in casual speech., Overusing 'tough' in contexts where 'difficult' is more suitable. |
| Usage notes | Use 'difficult' when describing tasks, problems, or situations that require a lot of effort. Avoid in very casual conversations; instead, use synonyms like 'hard.' | Use 'tough' to describe something that is difficult, whether it's a situation or a person’s character. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts but may sound too informal in very serious discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Difficult vs Tough
What's the difference between Difficult and Tough?
Difficult: Hard to do or understand. Tough: Hard or difficult to deal with
Which is more advanced: Difficult and Tough?
Tough is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Difficult and Tough the same CEFR level?
Difficult: A1, Tough: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Difficult and Tough?
Difficult: adjective, Tough: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Difficult: This math problem is really difficult. Tough: The competition was tough, but I managed to win first place.
Can I use Difficult and Tough interchangeably?
Not always. Difficult and Tough are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.