noun
Common
difficulties
DIH-fih-kuhl-teez
Difficulties (noun) means Problems or troubles that make something hard to achieve or manage. Example: “The company ran into financial difficulties last year.”
noun
1
Problems or troubles that make something hard to achieve or manage.
"The company ran into financial difficulties last year."
"She overcame many difficulties to finish her degree."
"Parents of newborns often face difficulties getting enough sleep at night."
How to use difficulties
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishProblems or obstacles standing in the way of something.
Common pairings
financial difficulties
run into difficulties
overcome difficulties
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for difficulties
See all rhymes for difficulties →Frequently asked questions
What does “difficulties” mean?
The word “difficulties” means problems or troubles that make something hard to achieve or manage. In plain terms, problems or obstacles standing in the way of something.
How do you pronounce “difficulties”?
“Difficulties” is pronounced DIH-fih-kuhl-teez (/ˈdɪfɪkəltiz/ in IPA).
How do you use “difficulties” in a sentence?
Here is “difficulties” used in a sentence: “The company ran into financial difficulties last year.”
What part of speech is “difficulties”?
“Difficulties” is a noun.
Is “difficulties” a common word?
“Difficulties” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between 'difficulties' and 'difficulty'?
'Difficulty' as an uncountable noun refers to the general quality of being hard, as in 'I had difficulty sleeping.' 'Difficulties' is the plural countable form, referring to specific problems or troubles, as in 'financial difficulties' or 'technical difficulties.'
What words commonly go with 'difficulties'?
Common collocations include financial difficulties, technical difficulties, learning difficulties, and breathing difficulties. It often pairs with verbs such as face, encounter, overcome, and experience.
What is the difference between 'difficulties' and 'problems'?
The two overlap, but 'difficulties' tends to emphasise the obstacles or hardship that make something hard to do, while 'problems' can also mean faults or questions to be solved. 'Difficulties' often sounds slightly more formal.
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