Main Entry:

dif·fi·cul·ty

Pronunciation:

\-(ˌ)kəl-tē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural dif·fi·cul·ties

Etymology:

Middle English difficulte, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French difficulté, from Latin difficultas, from difficilis not easy, from dis- + facilis easy — more at facile

Date:

14th century

1 : the quality or state of being difficult 2 : controversy, disagreement 3 : objection 4 : something difficult : impediment 5 : embarrassment, trouble —usually used in plural