difficult

Definitions

1. adjective

   Hard to do or understand and needing a lot of effort.

   Examples

   • This math problem is very difficult.
   • It was a difficult climb to the top.
2. adjective

   Hard to deal with or not willing to cooperate.

   Examples

   • The toddler was being difficult about bedtime.
   • He can be difficult when things don't go his way.
3. adjective

   In old-fashioned use, not willing or hard to persuade.

   Examples

   • She was difficult to convince of the plan.
   • He stayed difficult about signing the agreement.
4. verb

   In old-fashioned use, to make something harder.

   Examples

   • Bad weather difficulted their journey home.
   • New rules difficulted the company's plans to grow.