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difficulty

Syllabification: (dif·fi·cul·ty)
Pronunciation: /ˈdifikəltē/
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Definition of difficulty

noun (plural difficulties)

  • the state or condition of being difficult:Guy had no difficulty in making friends she walks with difficulty
  • a thing that is hard to accomplish, deal with, or understand:there is a practical difficulty a club with financial difficulties
  • (often difficulties) a situation that is difficult or dangerous:they went for a swim but got into difficulties

Origin:

late Middle English (in the senses 'requiring effort or skill' and 'something difficult'): from Latin difficultas, from dis- (expressing reversal) + facultas 'ability, opportunity'

difficulty in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of difficulty in the British & World English dictionary

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