trouble

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

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Rhymes with TROUBLE

bubble, double, rubble