issue

 
Pronunciation: /ˈɪʃuː, ˈɪsjuː/

noun

  • 1an important topic or problem for debate or discussion: the issue of racism raising awareness of environmental issues
  • (issues) personal problems or difficulties: emotions and intimacy issues that were largely dealt with through alcohol I like him, though I have some issues with the guy
  • (issues) problems or difficulties, especially with a service or facility: a small number of users are experiencing connectivity issues
  • 2 [mass noun] the action of supplying or distributing an item for use, sale, or official purposes: the issue of notes by the Bank of England
  • [count noun] a number or set of items distributed at one time: a share issue has been launched
  • [count noun] each of a regular series of publications: the December issue of the magazine
  • 3a result or outcome of something: the chance of carrying such a scheme to a successful issue was small
  • 4the action of flowing or coming out: a point of issue
  • 5 [mass noun] formal or Law children of one’s own: the earl died without male issue

verb (issues, issuing, issued)

  • 1 [with object] supply or distribute (something) for use or sale: licences were issued indiscriminately to any company Christmas stamps to be issued in November
  • (issue someone with) supply someone with (something): everyone was issued with a gas mask
  • formally send out or make known: the minister issued a statement
  • 2 [no object] (issue from) come, go, or flow out from: exotic smells issued from a nearby building
  • result or be derived from: the struggles of history issue from the divided heart of humanity

Phrases

at issue

under discussion; in dispute: the point at issue is quality

make an issue of

treat too seriously or as a problem.

take issue with

disagree with; challenge: she takes issue with the notion of crime as unique to contemporary society

Derivatives

issuable

adjective

issuance

noun

issueless

adjective

issuer

noun

Origin:

Middle English (in the sense 'outflowing'): from Old French, based on Latin exitus, past participle of exire 'go out'

Word Trends

To say that someone has issues is to imply that they suffer from emotional or psychological difficulties: she’s got issues from her childhood he has serious issues with monogamy. Use of the term is a euphemistic way of avoiding the word problem, seen as negative and stigmatizing. The exact nature of the issues is generally left vague and mysterious, even when narrowed down by a modifier (intimacy issues, emotional issues, mental issues). More generally issues are problems or difficulties, particularly with the provision of a service ( devices on the company’s network are experiencing performance issues ): again, the word has a euphemistic feel, perhaps implying that what is occurring is not so serious or specific as to amount to an actual problem. See also solution