Problem Meaning and Definition
Problem
Pronunciation
/ˈprɑbzəm/
Part of Speech
Noun or Verb
Definition
A difficult or unpleasant situation, a challenge or obstacle to be overcome.
Examples
- The company faced a major problem with the new software.
- The hikers encountered a problem with their GPS device.
Synonyms
- Challenge
- Obstacle
- Knob
Antonyms
- Solution
- Opportunity
Etymology
The word “problem” comes from the Old French “probleme”, which is derived from the Greek “プロβλημα” (problēma), meaning “something put forward” or “a proposal”.
Usage Notes
When using the word “problem”, it’s important to consider the context in which it is being used. For example, a problem in a mathematical sense is different from a problem in a personal or emotional sense.
Cultural References
The word “problem” has been used in many famous quotes, such as “The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence” by Albert Einstein.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Common idioms and phrases that include the word “problem” include “the problem with”, “the crux of the problem”, and “to pose a problem”.
Related Words or Phrases
Words and phrases closely related in meaning or usage to “problem” include “challenge”, “obstacle”, “solution”, and “difficulty”.
Collocations
Common word combinations with the term “problem” include “technical problem”, “scientific problem”, and “social problem”.
Frequency of Use
The word “problem” is commonly used in everyday language, with an estimated frequency of use of over 1% in spoken and written English.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the word “problem” include “proven”, “problim”, and “probelm”.