difficulty

5 definitions • 14 examples

the fact of not being easy to do or understand:

with difficulty We finished the job, but only with great difficulty.

difficulty of The difficulty of the task excited them.

[ + -ing verb ] She had great difficulty finding a job.

have difficulty "Did you have any difficulty finding the theatre?" "No, your directions were excellent."

have difficulty in People with asthma have difficulty in breathing.

a problem:

have difficulties We had a few difficulties a year or so ago, but they are all in the past.

personal difficulties He is reluctant to talk about his personal difficulties.

financial difficulties Let your bank know if you are experiencing financial difficulties.

learning difficulties She teaches at a school for children with learning difficulties.

encounter difficulties People learning a new language often encounter some difficulties at first.

difficulty arises An unforeseen difficulty has arisen.

to have problems or be in a difficult situation:

A ship is in difficulties off the coast of Ireland.

the fact of not being easy, or of being hard to do or understand:

[ U ] He has some difficulty hearing people when they speak softly.

A difficulty is also a problem:

[ C usually pl ] In 1986 he experienced financial difficulties and was forced to sell his business.