easy
The puzzle was difficult at first.
What does Difficult mean?
Difficult means hard to do or understand.
Dictionary definition
Hard to do, understand, solve, or deal with.
Example sentences
Difficult in a sentence
medium
She asked for help with a difficult math problem.
hard
A difficult challenge can become easier when it is broken into smaller steps.
Writing practice
Ready to write your own? Study the examples, then practice difficult in a sentence with Sentence Builder checklist feedback.
Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Difficult
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does difficult mean?
Difficult means something is hard to do, solve, or understand.
Practice 2
Which sentence uses difficult correctly?
This sentence uses difficult to mean hard.
Practice 3
Which word is an antonym of difficult?
Easy means not hard, which is the opposite of difficult.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Difficult
Voice settings
Sounds like
dif · uh · kult · strongest beat: dif
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordDifficult.
Partadjective.
MeaningDifficult means hard to do or understand.
ExampleExample: The puzzle was difficult at first.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- dif · uh · kult
- Strongest beat
- dif
- Ending
- kult
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on dif.
Your turn
Say Difficult
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Nice work—you practiced difficult.
Synonyms
Words like Difficult
hardUse for something not easy.
challengingUse for something that takes effort and skill.
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice difficult synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The climb was difficult, but the view from the top was worth it," then compare close word choices. Practice difficult synonyms.
Word family
Difficult word family
Base word
difficult
noun
difficulty
The quality of being hard to do or understand.
noun
difficulties
Problems or challenges.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Difficult
Hint for students
Difficult means hard to do or understand.
Common mix-up
Difficult is not the same as easy. Difficult means hard to do or understand.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: She asked for help with a difficult math problem. Clue words: asked, help, math. Underline clue words that show why difficult fits instead of easy. Now write one new sentence that shows difficult without using the word difficult. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show difficult?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "She asked for help with a difficult math problem." Why does difficult fit better than easy?
Learning activities
Practice Difficult and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice DIFFICULT” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice DIFFICULT
Sentence Builder
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Vocabulary Match
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Context Clue Challenge
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Practice DIFFICULT
Synonym Search
Compare meanings in a question that includes DIFFICULT.
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