First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
difficult
adjective dif·fi·cult \ˈdi-fi-(ˌ)kəlt\
: not easy : requiring much work or skill to do or make
: not easy to deal with or manage
: not willing to help others by changing your behavior : stubborn or unreasonable
Full Definition of DIFFICULT
1
: hard to do, make, or carry out : arduous <a difficult climb>
2
a : hard to deal with, manage, or overcome <a difficult child> b : hard to understand : puzzling <difficult reading>
— dif·fi·cult·ly adverb
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Origin of DIFFICULT
Middle English, back-formation from difficulty
Related to DIFFICULT
- Synonyms
- arduous, Augean, backbreaking, challenging, demanding, hard, effortful, exacting, formidable, grueling (or gruelling), heavy, hellacious, herculean, killer, laborious, moiling, murderous, pick-and-shovel, rigorous, rough, rugged, severe, stiff, strenuous, sweaty, tall, testing, toilsome, tough, uphill
- Antonyms
- cheap, easy, effortless, facile, light, mindless, simple, soft, undemanding
Synonym Discussion of DIFFICULT
hard, difficult, arduous mean demanding great exertion or effort. hard implies the opposite of all that is easy <farming is hard work>. difficult implies the presence of obstacles to be surmounted or puzzles to be resolved and suggests the need of skill or courage <the difficult ascent of the mountain>. arduous stresses the need of laborious and persevering exertion <the arduous task of rebuilding>.
Rhymes with DIFFICULT
DIFFICULT Defined for Kids
difficult
adjective dif·fi·cult \ˈdi-fi-ˌkəlt\
Definition of DIFFICULT for Kids
1
: not easy : hard to do or make <a difficult job>
2
: hard to deal with <difficult circumstances> <a difficult child>
3
: hard to understand <a difficult subject>
Word Root of DIFFICULT
The Latin word facere, meaning “to make” or “to do,” and its form factus give us the roots fic, fact, and fect. Words from the Latin facere have something to do with making or doing something. To manufacture is to make goods. This is often done in a factory. Something difficult is hard to do. Anything effective does what it is meant to do.
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