dif´fi|cult|ness

dif|fi|cult «DIHF uh kuhlt, -kuhlt», adjective.

1. hard to do or understand: »

Arithmetic is difficult for some pupils. Cutting down the tree was difficult. Poetry became, if anything, more “difficult” and esoteric (Saturday Review).

SYNONYM(S): arduous. See syn. under hard. (Cf. ↑hard)

2. hard to manage; hard to please: »

That difficult member of the team always wants his own way. I found my new employer difficult.

SYNONYM(S): trying.

3. presenting obstacles or trouble: »

a thing difficult to imagine, a place difficult of access.

4. hard to persuade; unwilling.

╂[perhaps back formation < difficulty]

–dif´fi|cult|ly, adverb.

–dif´fi|cult|ness, noun.