difficult
UK: ˈdɪfɪkəlt | US: ˈdɪfɪkəlt
adj. hard to accomplish, understand, or deal with
adj. characterized by obstacles or complications
adj. (of a person) not easily pleased or satisfied
The word "difficult" entered English in the 14th century from Old French difficile, which itself came from Latin difficilis (hard to do). The Latin term combines dis- (apart/not) + facilis (easy), literally meaning "not easy." Over time, the spelling morphed to align with English phonetics, but the core idea of "hard to do" persisted. The prefix "dif-" subtly hints at resistance, while "-ficult" ties to actions or making—painting a vivid picture of struggle.
The exam questions were unusually difficult this year.
She found it difficult to adjust to the new time zone.
Negotiating with him is difficult because he rarely compromises.
The mountain trail became increasingly difficult after the rain.
His stubbornness makes him a difficult person to work with.