WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
prob•lem•at•ic /ˌprɑbləˈmætɪk/USA pronunciation also ˌprob•lemˈat•i•cal,
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- of the nature of a problem;
doubtful:a problematic rise in unemployment rates.
prob•lem•at•ic
(prob′lə mat′ik),USA pronunciation adj.
prob′lem•at′i•cal•ly, adv.
- of the nature of a problem;
doubtful;
uncertain;
questionable.
- Greek problēmatikós, equivalent. to problēmat- (stem of próblēma) problem + -ikos -ic
- Late Latin problēmaticus
- 1600–10
- unsure, indeterminate, unsettled, dubious, ambiguous.