First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1trouble
verb trou·ble \ˈtrə-bəl\
: to make (someone) feel worried or upset
: to disturb or bother (someone)
: to cause (someone) to feel pain
trou·bledtrou·bling \ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ\
Full Definition of TROUBLE
transitive verb
1
2
: to put into confused motion <the wind troubled the sea>
intransitive verb
1
: to become mentally agitated : worry <refused to trouble over trifles>
2
: to make an effort : be at pains <did not trouble to come>
— trou·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun
See trouble defined for English-language learners
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Origin of TROUBLE
Middle English, from Anglo-French trubler, from Vulgar Latin *turbulare, from *turbulus agitated, alteration of Latin turbulentus — more at turbulent
Related to TROUBLE
2trouble
noun
: problems or difficulties
: a situation that is difficult or has a lot of problems
: a situation that occurs if you do something wrong or break a rule and which will make someone angry or cause you to be punished
Full Definition of TROUBLE
1
: the quality or state of being troubled especially mentally
2
: public unrest or disturbance <there's trouble brewing downtown>
3
: an instance of trouble <used to disguise her frustrations and despair by making light of her troubles — Current Biography>
4
: a state or condition of distress, annoyance, or difficulty <in trouble with the law> <heading for trouble> <got into financial trouble>: as a : a condition of physical distress or ill health : ailment <back trouble> <heart trouble> b : a condition of mechanical malfunction <engine trouble> c : a condition of doing something badly or only with great difficulty <has trouble reading> <has trouble breathing> d : pregnancy out of wedlock <got a girl in trouble>
5
: an effort made : pains <took the trouble to do it right>
6
a : a cause of distress, annoyance, or inconvenience <don't mean to be any trouble> <what's the trouble?> b : a negative feature : drawback <the trouble with you is you're too honest> <the main trouble with electronic systems is the overreliance on them — John Perham> c : the unhappy or sad fact <the trouble is, I need the money>
See trouble defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of TROUBLE
13th century
Related to TROUBLE
TROUBLE[2] Defined for Kids
1trouble
noun trou·ble \ˈtrə-bəl\
Definition of TROUBLE for Kids
1
: something that causes worry or distress : misfortune <I've suffered many troubles.>
2
: an instance of distress or disturbance <Don't make trouble.>
3
: extra work or effort <They took the trouble to write.>
4
: ill health : ailment <“Your trouble comes from years of wearing the wrong kind of shoes,” Jake lectured. — Ellen Raskin, The Westing Game>
5
: failure to work normally <He had trouble with the engine.>
2trouble
verb
trou·bledtrou·bling
Definition of TROUBLE for Kids
1
: to become or make worried or upset <… reading this book will make you feel anxious, because you will be troubled by the disturbing suspense … — Lemony Snicket, The Ersatz Elevator>
2
: to produce physical disorder in : afflict <He's troubled with weak knees.>
3
: to put to inconvenience <Don't trouble yourself; I can do it.>
4
: to make an effort <Do not trouble to write.>
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