difficult
Something that is hard to do, understand, or deal with because it requires a lot of effort or skill. It can also describe a person who is not easy to please or work with.
Examples
3 of 5This math homework is really difficult for me to finish.
This math schoolwork is very hard for me to complete.
The committee faced a difficult decision regarding the new budget.
The group had a very hard choice to make about the new money plan.
Trying to get him to agree is so difficult!
It is very hard to make him say yes to the plan.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'D' in Difficult as 'Doing' something that is 'Dreadfully' hard.
Quick Quiz
The exam was very _____, so many students did not pass.
Correct!
The correct answer is: difficult
Examples
This math homework is really difficult for me to finish.
everydayThis math schoolwork is very hard for me to complete.
The committee faced a difficult decision regarding the new budget.
formalThe group had a very hard choice to make about the new money plan.
Trying to get him to agree is so difficult!
informalIt is very hard to make him say yes to the plan.
The researchers encountered difficult conditions during the polar expedition.
academicThe scientists faced hard situations while exploring the poles.
It is a difficult market to enter because of the high competition.
businessIt is a hard industry to start a business in due to many competitors.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
a difficult pill to swallow
a fact that is hard to accept
make things difficult
to cause trouble or problems for someone
the difficult years
a period of time involving many problems
Often Confused With
Hard can describe physical texture (like a rock), whereas difficult only describes complexity or effort.
Different means not the same, while difficult means hard to do; they sound slightly similar to beginners.
Usage Notes
Difficult is slightly more formal than 'hard'. It is frequently followed by an infinitive (e.g., 'difficult to breathe').
Common Mistakes
Learners often say 'it is difficult for me' correctly but sometimes use 'to' instead. Use 'for' to indicate the person finding it hard.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'D' in Difficult as 'Doing' something that is 'Dreadfully' hard.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'difficultas', which means trouble, hardship, or distress.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In English-speaking business culture, calling a person 'difficult' is a polite way of saying they are uncooperative.
Quick Quiz
The exam was very _____, so many students did not pass.
Correct!
The correct answer is: difficult
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