Difficultly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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difficultly

[ˈdɪfɪkəltli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a challenging manner

With great effort or struggle; not easily; in a way that requires much effort or skill.

Synonyms

arduously, challengingly, laboriously.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
difficultly	Use 'difficultly' to describe an action done with a lot of effort or in a way that shows it's hard to do. She climbed the mountain difficultly, struggling with every step
challengingly	Use 'challengingly' to describe an action that is done in a way that tests one's abilities or is demanding but can also be rewarding. He solved the complex puzzle challengingly, feeling a sense of accomplishment with every piece that fit
arduously	Use 'arduously' to describe an action that is extremely hard, requiring a lot of effort and time. The workers toiled arduously under the hot sun, determined to finish the project on time
laboriously	Use 'laboriously' to describe a task that requires a lot of hard work, usually in a slow or tedious manner. She wrote the report laboriously, checking every detail to ensure accuracy

Examples of usage

He completed the puzzle difficultly, taking hours to finish.
She spoke the foreign language difficultly, stumbling over the pronunciation.
The task was completed difficultly, but the end result was worth it.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

lack of ease or difficulty

The state or quality of being difficult; the degree to which something is hard to accomplish or understand.

Synonyms

challenge, hardship, obstacle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
challenge	This word is used when talking about a task or situation that requires a lot of effort and skill. It often carries a positive or neutral connotation and can imply a sense of excitement or opportunity for growth. Running a marathon was a huge challenge for him. She loves taking on new challenges at work.
obstacle	Use this word to refer to something that stands in the way or prevents progress. It can be physical, like a barrier, or abstract, like a problem or difficulty. The fallen tree presented an obstacle on the road. Fear of failure can be a major obstacle to achieving your goals.
hardship	This term is used to describe severe suffering, often due to a lack of basic needs like food, shelter, or money. It carries a strong negative connotation. They faced significant hardships during the drought. The economic crisis caused widespread hardship in the community.

Word

Description / Examples

challenge

This word is used when talking about a task or situation that requires a lot of effort and skill. It often carries a positive or neutral connotation and can imply a sense of excitement or opportunity for growth.

Running a marathon was a huge challenge for him.
She loves taking on new challenges at work.

obstacle

Use this word to refer to something that stands in the way or prevents progress. It can be physical, like a barrier, or abstract, like a problem or difficulty.

The fallen tree presented an obstacle on the road.
Fear of failure can be a major obstacle to achieving your goals.

hardship

This term is used to describe severe suffering, often due to a lack of basic needs like food, shelter, or money. It carries a strong negative connotation.

They faced significant hardships during the drought.
The economic crisis caused widespread hardship in the community.

Examples of usage

The difficulty of the test surprised the students.
She faced many difficulties in her career, but she never gave up.
There is a level of difficulty associated with learning a new skill.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Cognitive Science

Research shows that challenges can enhance learning by promoting problem-solving skills.
Facing tasks that require effort activates brain areas linked to reward, reinforcing the idea that difficulty can lead to personal growth.

Psychology

The perception of difficulty is subjective; what one person finds hard, another may find easy, influenced by their experiences.
Studies indicate that an appropriate level of difficulty can increase motivation and satisfaction in activities.

Education

In educational settings, tasks that are too easy can lead to boredom, while those that are appropriately challenging engage students more effectively.
The concept of 'scaffolding' in teaching involves gradually increasing the difficulty of tasks to help students build confidence and skills.

Pop Culture

Many movies and books showcase characters overcoming difficult challenges, emphasizing resilience and growth.
The phrase 'easy come, easy go' is often countered by stories that celebrate the hard-won achievements in life.

Origin of 'difficultly'

Main points about word origin

The word combines 'difficult,' which comes from the Latin 'difficilis,' meaning hard to do, and the suffix '-ly' used to turn adjectives into adverbs.
The origin of 'difficultus' in Latin points to a time when the concept of challenge was often linked to physical or mental labor.

The word 'difficulty' originated from the Old French word 'dificulte' in the 14th century, which was derived from the Latin word 'difficultas'. The term has been used to describe the state or quality of being hard to accomplish or understand. Over time, 'difficulty' has become a common word in the English language, reflecting the challenges and obstacles people face in various aspects of life.