Definition of Difficult
Quick Meaning of Difficult
Needing a lot of effort; not easy to do.
Detailed Definition of Difficult
Hard to do or understand; requiring effort or skill.
How to Pronounce Difficult
Stress pattern: Ooo (3-syllable word).
Tip: Stress first syllable: DIF-fi-cult. The final 't' is slightly soft in speech.
Watch out: Learners often add extra syllables: 'dif-FI-cul-ty' (wrong) instead of 'DIF-fi-cult' (right).
Origin and Etymology of Difficult
From Latin difficilis: dis- (not) + facilis (easy).
How to Use Difficult in a Sentence
Each example shows “difficult” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“Math is difficult for many students.”
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“This puzzle is too difficult to solve quickly.”
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“She found it difficult to adjust to the new schedule.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Difficult
Common Synonyms for Difficult
Smart Synonyms for Difficult — When to Use Each
- challenging
- when the difficulty requires skill or mental effort
- complex
- when the difficulty comes from many parts or
Antonyms of Difficult
Common Collocations with Difficult
These phrases pair with “difficult” in everyday English:
- difficult to do
- very difficult
- quite difficult
- find something difficult
Common Mistakes When Using Difficult
Even fluent speakers slip up with “difficult”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: This exercise is difficult for understanding.
- ✓ Correct: This exercise is difficult to understand.
- Why: After 'difficult', use 'to-infinitive' (to understand) not 'for + gerund'.
- ✗ Wrong: The problem is too much difficult.
- ✓ Correct: The problem is too difficult.
- Why: Do not use 'much' before adjectives; use 'very' or 'too' instead.
Other Forms of Difficult
- Noun: difficulty
- Adjective: difficult
- Adverb: difficultly
Frequently Asked Questions About Difficult
What is the meaning of "Difficult"?
Needing a lot of effort; not easy to do.
How do you pronounce "Difficult"?
The IPA is /ˈdɪfɪkəlt/. Stress first syllable: DIF-fi-cult. The final 't' is slightly soft in speech.
What part of speech is "Difficult"?
"Difficult" is an adjective at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Difficult"?
Common synonyms include hard, challenging, complex.
How do you use "Difficult" in a sentence?
For example: "Math is difficult for many students."