Problem

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɹɒblÉ™m/

Alternative forms

• probleme obsolete

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin problema, from Ancient Greek πρόβλημα (problema, "anything thrown forward, hindrance, obstacle, anything projecting, a headland, promontory"), from προβάλλω (proballo, "to throw or lay something in front of someone, to put forward"), from προ- (pro-, "in front of") + βάλλω (ballo, "to throw, to cast, to hurl").

Full definition of problem

Noun

1. A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.
   She's leaving because she faced numerous problems to do with racism.
• 1910, Emerson Hough, The Purchase Price Chapter 1, “… it is not fair of you to bring against mankind double weapons ! Dangerous enough you are as woman alone, without bringing to your aid those gifts of mind suited to problems which men have been accustomed to arrogate to themselves.”
• 2014-03-07, Nicole Vulser, Perfume manufacturers must cope with the scarcity of precious supplies, The perfume industry is facing a major problem: maintaining constant levels of quality is crucial, but it is increasingly difficult to obtain a regular supply of all the necessary natural ingredients.
2. A question to be answered, schoolwork exercise.
3. A puzzling circumstance.

Antonyms

• solution

Derived terms

Adjective

1. Difficult to train or guide; unruly.