difficult

Pronunciation: /ˈdɪfɪkəlt/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
  2. adjective hard to control; ,

Etymology

From Middle English difficult (ca. 1400), a back-formation from difficulte (whence modern difficulty), from Old French difficulté, from Latin difficultas, from difficul, older form of difficilis (“hard to do, difficult”), from dis- + facilis (“easy”); see difficile. Replaced native Middle English earveþ (“difficult, hard”), from Old English earfoþe (“difficult, laborious, full of hardship”), cognate to German Arbeit (“work”). The verb is from the adjective, partly after Middle French difficulter and its etymon Latin difficultō. Compare difficilitate, difficultate, and Italian difficoltare.

In classic literature

Synonyms

hard

Semantic network

Similar
tall, fractious, hard-fought, baffling
Opposite (antonyms)
easy

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