problem
PROB-luhm
Problem (noun) means a difficult situation or matter that needs to be solved or dealt with. Example: “We ran into a problem halfway through the project.”
noun
1
A difficult situation or matter that needs to be solved or dealt with.
"We ran into a problem halfway through the project."
"Traffic is a huge problem in this city."
"The car won't start, and that is a real problem because I'm late."
2
A question or exercise, especially in math or schoolwork, that requires a solution.
"She solved the last problem on the exam in under a minute."
"The teacher wrote a tricky problem on the board and asked us to work it out."
"I got stuck on the third problem in tonight's maths homework."
adj
1
Causing difficulty or trouble; hard to manage.
"He was labeled a problem employee after several complaints."
"The school gave extra support to the problem pupils in the year group."
"A problem tenant had been ignoring the rules for months, so the landlord wrote to him."
How to use problem
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething difficult that needs solving or dealing with.
Common pairings
solve a problem
no problem
problem child
face a problem
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Word forms
- Plural
- problems
- Comparative
- more problem
- Superlative
- most problem
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We ran into a _____ halfway through the project.
Etymology
From Greek problema, "something thrown forward" or "an obstacle," from proballo, "to put forward" — the same idea as something being placed in your path.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “problem” mean?
The word “problem” means a difficult situation or matter that needs to be solved or dealt with. In plain terms, something difficult that needs solving or dealing with.
How do you pronounce “problem”?
“Problem” is pronounced PROB-luhm (/ˈpɹɑbləm/ in IPA).
How do you use “problem” in a sentence?
Here is “problem” used in a sentence: “We ran into a problem halfway through the project.”
What is the opposite of “problem”?
The opposite of “problem” — its antonyms — is solution.
What part of speech is “problem”?
Depending on how it is used, “problem” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “problem” come from?
The word “problem” comes from Greek. From Greek problema, "something thrown forward" or "an obstacle," from proballo, "to put forward" — the same idea as something being placed in your path.
Is “problem” a common word?
“Problem” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “problem” have?
“Problem” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a difficult situation or matter that needs to be solved or dealt with.
What is the difference between a problem and an issue?
A problem is something clearly wrong that needs solving, often with a definite answer. An issue is broader and softer — a topic, concern, or point of debate that may not have a single solution. "Issue" also sounds less alarming, so people often use it to describe problems more diplomatically at work.
What is the difference between a problem and a challenge?
A problem is simply a difficulty that needs dealing with, often carrying a negative tone. A challenge frames that same difficulty as an opportunity to test skill and improve. Calling something a challenge rather than a problem is a deliberate shift toward a more positive, motivating outlook on the same situation.
What are the types of problems?
Problems range from practical ones (a broken car, a leaking roof) to abstract ones (a maths problem, a moral dilemma). Others are personal, technical, financial, or social. Some are well-defined with clear solutions; others are complex and open-ended. What unites them all is a difficulty that calls for a solution.
What is the opposite of a problem?
A solution is the natural opposite — the answer that resolves a problem. Where a problem is a difficulty, related opposites include "answer" and, more loosely, "success." In everyday speech, saying "no problem" simply means there is no difficulty at all and that everything is fine and manageable.
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