trouble

¹trou·ble

verb \ˈtrə-bəl\

trou·bledtrou·bling \ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ\

Definition of TROUBLE

transitive verb

1

a : to agitate mentally or spiritually : worry, disturb

b (1) archaic : mistreat, oppress (2) : to produce physical disorder in : afflict <troubled by a cold>

c : to put to exertion or inconvenience <I'm sorry to trouble you>

2

: to put into confused motion <the wind troubled the sea>

intransitive verb

1

: to become mentally agitated : worry <refused to trouble over trifles>

2

: to make an effort : be at pains <did not trouble to come>

— trou·bler \-b(ə-)lər\ noun

Examples of TROUBLE

1. The accusations troubled him deeply.
2. I'm troubled by his strange behavior.
3. I don't mean to trouble you, but I have a question.

Origin of TROUBLE

Middle English, from Anglo-French trubler, from Vulgar Latin *turbulare, from *turbulus agitated, alteration of Latin turbulentus — more at turbulent

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to TROUBLE

Synonyms

bother, fear, fret, fuss, stew, stress, sweat, worry

Antonyms

accommodate, favor, oblige

Related Words

agonize; long, pine, yearn; chafe; despair

Near Antonyms

accept; abide, bear, endure, stick out, stomach, sustain, take, tolerate

Rhymes with TROUBLE

bubble, double, Hubble, nubble, rubble, stubble

²trouble

noun

Definition of TROUBLE

1

: the quality or state of being troubled especially mentally

2

: public unrest or disturbance <there's trouble brewing downtown>

3

: an instance of trouble <used to disguise her frustrations and despair by making light of her troubles — Current Biography>

4

: a state or condition of distress, annoyance, or difficulty <in trouble with the law> <heading for trouble> <got into financial trouble>: as

a : a condition of physical distress or ill health : ailment <back trouble> <heart trouble>

b : a condition of mechanical malfunction <engine trouble>

c : a condition of doing something badly or only with great difficulty <has trouble reading> <has trouble breathing>

d : pregnancy out of wedlock <got a girl in trouble>

5

: an effort made : pains <took the trouble to do it right>

6

a : a cause of distress, annoyance, or inconvenience <don't mean to be any trouble> <what's the trouble?>

b : a negative feature : drawback <the trouble with you is you're too honest> <the main trouble with electronic systems is the overreliance on them — John Perham>

c : the unhappy or sad fact <the trouble is, I need the money>

Examples of TROUBLE

1. The new system is giving me trouble.
2. He was having trouble with his homework.
3. I had a little trouble finding the place.
4. He had no trouble finding a new job.
5. gangs looking to make trouble
6. When the new CEO arrived, the company was in trouble.
7. She got into trouble with her credit cards.
8. He's always getting in trouble at school.
9. She has been having trouble with her knee.

First Known Use of TROUBLE

13th century

Related to TROUBLE

Synonyms

affection, ail, ailment, bug, complaint, complication, condition, disorder, distemper, distemperature, fever, ill, illness, infirmity, malady, sickness, disease

Antonyms

health, wellness

Related Words

contagion, contagious disease; contagium, infection; attack, bout, fit, spell; debility, decrepitude, feebleness, frailness, lameness, sickliness, unhealthiness, unsoundness, unwellness, weakness; malaise, matter, pip; epidemic, pest, pestilence, plague

Near Antonyms

fitness, healthiness, heartiness, robustness, soundness, wholeness, wholesomeness; fettle, shape

Rhymes with TROUBLE

bubble, double, rubble