problem

Difficult to train or guide; unruly.

Adjective

  1. Difficult to train or guide; unruly.
  2. Causing a problem; problematic; troublesome.
    • It is more problem to my family than to me. - 2010, A. M. Aleksander, The Pride of the King:

Origin

From Middle English probleme, from Middle French probleme, from Latin problēma, from Ancient Greek πρόβλημα (próblēma, “anything thrown forward, hindrance, obstacle, anything projecting, a headland, promontory”), from προβάλλω (probállō, “to throw or lay something in front of someone, to put forward”), from προ- (pro-, “in front of”) + βάλλω (bállō, “to throw, to cast, to hurl”). Doublet of problema.

Forms

more problem most problem probleme pro'lem

Related

trouble

Noun

  1. A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.
    • She's leaving because she faced numerous problems to do with racism.
    • “[…] it is not fair of you to bring against mankind double weapons ! Dangerous enough you are as woman alone, without bringing to your aid those gifts of mind suited to problems which men have been accustomed to...
    • The perfume industry is facing a major problem: maintaining constant levels of quality is crucial, but it is increasingly difficult to obtain a regular supply of all the necessary natural ingredients. - 2014 March 7,...

    Synonyms: rub

    Hypernyms: challenge issue obstacle

    1. An addiction, other substance use disorder, or comparable psychological challenge.

      • I think he has a gambling problem. Lending him money will probably only make it worse.
      • I think he has a nose candy problem. Lending him money will probably only make it worse.

      Synonyms: rub

      Hypernyms: challenge issue obstacle

  2. A question to be answered, schoolwork exercise.
    • Study hard, but don't overdo it. The problems in the exam won't be difficult to solve.
  3. A puzzling circumstance.
  4. Objection.
    • You got a problem with that?
  5. Difficulty in accepting or understanding or refusal to accept or understand.
    • You made your best honest effort; if they judge you harshly, that’s their problem, not yours.
  6. A set of moves required to complete a climb.

Forms

problems probleme pro'lem

Antonyms

solution

Hyponyms

Entscheidungsproblem

Related

problematic problematical problematize

Derived

ABA problem agency problem alcohol problem algorithmic problem Alhazen's problem alignment problem Apollonian problem a problem shared is a problem halved Archimedes' problem art gallery problem Basel problem behavior problem Behrens-Fisher problem binding problem birthday problem Bongard problem boy problems Brocard's problem Buffon's needle problem C10K problem C10k problem C10M problem Cadillac problem Canadian traveller problem