Definition of PROBLEM

problem

Plural: problems

Noun

  • A perplexing question or difficult situation.
  • a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
    • "she and her husband are having problems"
    • "urban problems such as traffic congestion and smog"
  • a question raised for consideration or solution
    • "our homework consisted of ten problems to solve"
  • a source of difficulty
    • "what's the problem?"
  • A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.
  • A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.
  • An addiction, other substance use disorder, or comparable psychological challenge.
  • A question to be answered, schoolwork exercise.
  • A puzzling circumstance.
  • Objection.
  • Difficulty in accepting or understanding or refusal to accept or understand.
  • A set of moves required to complete a climb.

Adj

  • Difficult to train or guide; unruly.
  • Causing a problem; problematic; troublesome.

Examples

  • 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.
  • She's leaving because she faced numerous problems to do with racism.
  • Study hard, but don't overdo it. The problems in the exam won't be difficult to solve.
  • The biggest problem in Scrabble is often finding a good spot for all those vowels.
  • You got a problem with that?
  • You made your best honest effort; if they judge you harshly, that’s their problem, not yours.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English probleme, from Middle French probleme, from Latin problema, 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”).

Synonyms

job, trouble, rub

Antonyms

solution

Scrabble Score: 13

problem: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
problem: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
problem: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

problem: valid Words With Friends Word