adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

troublesome

TRUH-buhl-suhm

Troublesome (adj) means causing repeated difficulty, worry, or annoyance. Example: “The troublesome printer jammed again halfway through the report.”

adj

Causing repeated difficulty, worry, or annoyance.

"The troublesome printer jammed again halfway through the report."

"A troublesome cough kept her up most of the night."

How to use troublesome

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishProne to causing bother or difficulty, whether it's a person, object, or problem.

Common pairings

troublesome neighbor troublesome issue

Word forms

more troublesome comparative, most troublesome superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ printer jammed again halfway through the report.

Etymology

Built from trouble plus the suffix -some, which turns a noun into an adjective meaning "tending to cause" that thing.

Antonyms

untroublesome nontroublesome

Rhymes for troublesome

ome some come home Rome nome tome dome gnome genome become income

See all rhymes for troublesome →

Frequently asked questions

What does “troublesome” mean?

The word “troublesome” means causing repeated difficulty, worry, or annoyance. In plain terms, prone to causing bother or difficulty, whether it's a person, object, or problem.

How do you pronounce “troublesome”?

“Troublesome” is pronounced TRUH-buhl-suhm (/ˈtɹʌbəlsəm/ in IPA).

How do you use “troublesome” in a sentence?

Here is “troublesome” used in a sentence: “The troublesome printer jammed again halfway through the report.”

What is the opposite of “troublesome”?

The opposite of “troublesome” — its antonyms — are untroublesome and nontroublesome.

What part of speech is “troublesome”?

“Troublesome” is an adjective.

Is “troublesome” a common word?

“Troublesome” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.