B1noun 2K

Difficulty

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

Meaning of Difficulty

a problem; a thing or situation that causes problems

In simple words: How hard something is.

Difficulty in a sentence

• The difficulty of the exam surprised many students.
• I had some difficulty understanding the instructions.
• The difficulty increases as you progress to higher levels in the game.
• She found it difficult to cope with her workload.
• His difficulty in speaking English made him feel shy.

How to use Difficulty

Often used to describe challenges in tasks, tests, or activities. Suitable in both casual and academic contexts. Avoid using in overly informal situations.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of 'hard' and 'easy' — difficulty is where they meet.

Related words

Collocations with Difficulty

• considerable
• enormous
• extreme
• level
• encounter
• experience
• face
• arise
• lie (in something)
• despite a/​the difficulty
• in difficulty
• with difficulty
• considerable
• enormous
• extreme
• level
• encounter
• experience
• face
• arise
• lie (in something)
• despite a/​the difficulty
• in difficulty
• with difficulty
• considerable
• enormous
• extreme
• level
• encounter
• experience
• face
• arise
• lie (in something)
• despite a/​the difficulty
• in difficulty
• with difficulty

Synonyms for Difficulty

• challenge
• obstacle
• hardship
• struggle
• complication

Opposites of Difficulty

• easy
• simple
• effortless

Common mistakes with Difficulty

• Confused with 'difficult' (adjective) vs. 'difficulty' (noun)
• Using 'difficulties' when referring to multiple challenges
• Overgeneralizing to describe feelings instead of tasks

Frequently asked questions about Difficulty

What does Difficulty mean?

How hard something is.

What is the definition of Difficulty?

a problem; a thing or situation that causes problems

How do you use Difficulty in a sentence?

The difficulty of the exam surprised many students.

Can you give another example of Difficulty?

I had some difficulty understanding the instructions.

What are synonyms for Difficulty?

Common alternatives include challenge, obstacle, hardship, struggle, complication.

What is the opposite of Difficulty?

Opposite meanings include easy, simple, effortless.

What words go with Difficulty?

It commonly pairs with considerable, enormous, extreme, level, encounter, experience, face, arise, lie (in something), despite a/​the difficulty, in difficulty, with difficulty, considerable, enormous, extreme, level, encounter, experience, face, arise, lie (in something), despite a/​the difficulty, in difficulty, with difficulty, considerable, enormous, extreme, level, encounter, experience, face, arise, lie (in something), despite a/​the difficulty, in difficulty, with difficulty.

What are common mistakes when using Difficulty?

Confused with 'difficult' (adjective) vs. 'difficulty' (noun) Using 'difficulties' when referring to multiple challenges Overgeneralizing to describe feelings instead of tasks

How do you pronounce Difficulty?

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

When should I use Difficulty?

Often used to describe challenges in tasks, tests, or activities. Suitable in both casual and academic contexts. Avoid using in overly informal situations.

What CEFR level is Difficulty?

"Difficulty" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.