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: such asa : a condition of physical distress or ill health : ailment back trouble heart troubleb : a condition of mechanical malfunction engine troublec : a condition of doing something badly or only with great difficulty has trouble reading has trouble breathingd : pregnancy out of wedlock got a girl in trouble
5 : an effort made : pains took the trouble to do it right
6a : 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 Perhamc : the unhappy or sad fact the trouble is, I need the money
From the M-W Editors
Examples of trouble in a Sentence
The accusations troubled him deeply.
I'm troubled by his strange behavior.
I don't mean to trouble you, but I have a question.
13th Century
First Known Use of trouble
13th century
trouble
Definition of trouble
troubled
;troubling
play \ˈtrə-b(ə-)liŋ\transitive verb
1a : to agitate mentally or spiritually : worry, disturbb : to put to exertion or inconvenience I'm sorry to trouble youc (1) : to produce physical disorder in : afflict troubled by a cold (2) archaic : mistreat, oppress
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
Examples of trouble in a Sentence
The new system is giving me trouble.
He was having trouble with his homework.
I had a little trouble finding the place.
He had no trouble finding a new job.
gangs looking to make trouble
When the new CEO arrived, the company was in trouble.
She got into trouble with her credit cards.
He's always getting in trouble at school.
She has been having trouble with her knee.
Origin and Etymology 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
TROUBLE Defined for English Language Learners
trouble
playDefinition of trouble for English Language Learners
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: to make (someone) feel worried or upset
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: to disturb or bother (someone)
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: to cause (someone) to feel pain
trouble
Definition of trouble for English Language Learners
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: problems or difficulties
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: a situation that is difficult or has a lot of problems
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: a situation that occurs if you do something wrong or break a rule and which will make someone angry or cause you to be punished
TROUBLE Defined for Kids
Definition of trouble for Students
1 : something that causes worry or distress : misfortune I've suffered many troubles.
2 : an instance of distress or disturbance Don't make trouble.
3 : extra work or effort They took the trouble to write.
4 : ill health : ailment “Your trouble comes from years of wearing the wrong kind of shoes,” Jake lectured. — Ellen Raskin, The Westing Game
5 : failure to work normally He had trouble with the engine.
Definition of trouble for Students
troubled
;troubling
1 : to become or make worried or upset … reading this book will make you feel anxious, because you will be troubled by the disturbing suspense … — Lemony Snicket, The Ersatz Elevator
2 : to produce physical disorder in : afflict He's troubled with weak knees.
3 : to put to inconvenience Don't trouble yourself; I can do it.
4 : to make an effort Do not trouble to write.
Learn More about trouble
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See words that rhyme with trouble Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for trouble Spanish Central: Translation of trouble Nglish: Translation of trouble for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of trouble for Arabic speakers
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