Hurdles Meaning and Definition

Hurdles

Hurdles

Pronunciation

/ˈhərdəlz/

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A physical obstacle or challenge that must be overcome, often requiring skill, effort, or perseverance.

Examples

  • Runners face hurdles in both the sprint and the long-distance events.
  • Overcoming personal hurdles requires a great deal of courage and determination.

Synonyms

  • Obstacle
  • Barrier
  • Challenge

Antonyms

  • Ease
  • Triviality

Etymology

The word “hurdle” comes from the Old French “hurler”, which means “to leap” or “to clear”, and is related to the Old Norse “hreundle” and the Middle English “hurdel”, both of which referred to a fence or a barrier.

Usage Notes

Hurdles can be used in a variety of contexts, including sports, personal development, and everyday life. In sports, hurdles refer to physical obstacles that must be cleared, while in personal development, hurdles can refer to challenges or obstacles that must be overcome.

Cultural References

Hurdles have appeared in various forms of media, including sports films like “Chariots of Fire” and “Moneyball”, as well as in literature, such as in the popular novel “The Hurdler” by Roger McBride.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

  • To clear the hurdles
  • To overcome the hurdles
  • To jump over the hurdles

Related Words or Phrases

  • Obstacle
  • Barrier
  • Challenge

Collocations

  • To face the hurdles
  • To overcome the hurdles
  • To clear the hurdles

Frequency of Use

Hurdles is a commonly used word in modern language, particularly in the context of sports and personal development.

Common Misspellings

  • Herdules
  • Hurduler

Related Words