- any thing, matter, person, etc, that is difficult to deal with, solve, or overcome
- (as modifier): a problem child
- a puzzle, question, etc, set for solution
- a statement requiring a solution usually by means of one or more operations or geometric constructions
- (modifier) designating a literary work that deals with difficult moral questions: a problem play
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
prob•lem /ˈprɑbləm/USA pronunciation n. [countable]
adj. [before a noun]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- any question or matter involving doubt or difficulty:has financial and emotional problems.
- a statement requiring a solution, usually by means of mathematical operations:simple problems in addition.
adj. [before a noun]
- unwilling to cooperate;
unruly:a problem child.
- no problem, (is used to express the speaker's willingness to do something):"Can you come to the meeting tomorrow?'' —"No problem.''
prob•lem
(prob′ləm),USA pronunciation n.
adj.
- any question or matter involving doubt, uncertainty, or difficulty.
- a question proposed for solution or discussion.
- [Math.]a statement requiring a solution, usually by means of a mathematical operation or geometric construction.
- no problem, (used as a conventional reply to a request or to express confirmation, affirmation, or gratitude).
adj.
- difficult to train or guide;
unruly:a problem child. - [Literature.]dealing with choices of action difficult either for an individual or for society at large:a problem play.
- Greek próblēma origin, originally, obstacle, (akin to probállein to throw or lay before), equivalent. to pro- pro-2 + -blē-, variant stem of bállein to throw (compare parabola) + -ma noun, nominal suffix of result
- Latin problēma
- Middle English probleme 1350–1400
- 1. 2. puzzle, riddle, enigma.
- 1. certitude.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
problem /ˈprɒbləm/ n
'problem' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
adjourn
- aggravate
- aha moment
- algorithm
- answer
- appreciate
- approach
- aspect
- assign
- assume
- attack
- attention
- back yard
- Band-Aid
- bearing
- bitch
- boggle
- boot
- brain-teaser
- bridge
- burning
- bypass
- call
- can
- canary
- central
- Chinese puzzle
- claim
- clue
- cogitate
- complexity theory
- consider
- conundrum
- cope
- crack
- crux
- cudgel
- cure
- deal with
- designer
- difficulty
- dilemma
- disturbance
- divergent thinking
- do
- elegant
- equation
- facer
- failing
- fathom