difficult

Difficult is an adjective used to describe something that is not easy to do, understand, or achieve. It can apply to tasks, decisions, situations, or concepts that require considerable effort, skill, or careful thought. The degree of difficulty can vary between people; what is difficult for one person may be straightforward for another. In use, difficult often conveys complexity, ambiguity, or constraints that hinder attainment. The opposite term is easy.

Etymology and history: The word difficult comes from Middle English via Old French from Latin difficilis, meaning not easy, formed from dis- (not) and facilis (easy). The modern sense has broadened to cover intellectual, emotional, or moral challenges as well as practical ones.

Usage notes: Difficult commonly appears with to or for, as in difficult to understand or difficult for him to explain. It can modify nouns directly, as in a difficult problem, a difficult decision, or a difficult situation. The noun difficulty denotes the challenge itself, as in “they faced many difficulties finishing the project.” In some contexts, synonyms such as hard, challenging, complex, or arduous may be chosen for nuance, tone, or formality.

See also: hard, challenging, complex, arduous, thorny, difficulty. These related terms reflect overlapping meanings but differ in emphasis on complexity, effort, or severity.