problem

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problem

/ˈpɹɒbləm/ Canada, UK
/ˈpɹɒblɪm/ UK, dated
/ˈpɹɑbləm/ US
/-bəm/ US, reduced
[-bm̩] US
/-əm/ US
[-m̩] US

Where it comes from

From Middle English probleme, from Middle French probleme, from Latin problēma, from Ancient Greek πρόβλημα (próblēma, “anything thrown forward, hindrance, obstacle, anything projecting, a headland, promontory”), from προβάλλω (probállō, “to throw or lay something in front of someone, to put forward”), from προ- (pro-, “in front of”) + βάλλω (bállō, “to throw, to cast, to hurl”). Doublet of problema.

noun problems · probleme · pro'lem

A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with. She's leaving because she faced numerous problems to do with racism.
Similar: rub
An addiction, other substance use disorder, or comparable psychological challenge. I think he has a gambling problem. Lending him money will probably only make it worse.
Similar: rub
A question to be answered, schoolwork exercise. Study hard, but don't overdo it. The problems in the exam won't be difficult to solve.
A puzzling circumstance.
Objection. You got a problem with that?
Difficulty in accepting or understanding or refusal to accept or understand. You made your best honest effort; if they judge you harshly, that’s their problem, not yours.
A set of moves required to complete a climb.

Opposite: solution

adjective more problem · most problem · probleme · pro'lem

Of a person or an animal, difficult to train or guide; unruly.
Causing a problem; problematic; troublesome. It is more problem to my family than to me.

verb problems · probleming · problemed · probleme · pro'lem

nonstandard, transitive, uncommon To problematize. Now, if I thought he was there, it was that at some point in time he told me that's where he would be. If that's probleming you, it's not probleming me.

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: trouble, job, problematic, difficulty, difficulties, difficult, hardship, predicament, danger, puzzle, threat, hassle, handicap, disorder, hang-up, plight

noun

Opposite: solution

Translations

Every language

noun difficulty

Español	problema, dificultad, lío
한국어	문제 munje
日本語	問題 mondai
中文	問題 /问题 wèntí, 困難 /困难 kùnnán, 難題 /难题 nántí, 麻煩 /麻烦 máfán
हिन्दी	समस्या samasyā, मसला maslā, प्रश्न praśna, दिक़्क़त diqqat, दिक्कत dikkat, मुश्किल muśkil
Kiswahili	tatizo, masaibu
Português	problema
Français	problème
Deutsch	Problem
Italiano	problema
Ελληνικά	πρόβλημα próvlima
Română	problemă
Русский	пробле́ма probléma
Tiếng Việt	vấn đề
العربية	مُشْكِلَة muškila
עברית	בְּעָיָה be'aya

noun schoolwork exercise

Español	problema, ejercicio
한국어	문제 munje, 과제 gwaje
日本語	問題 mondai, 課題 kadai
中文	題目 /题目 tímù, 習題 /习题 xítí, 課題 /课题 kètí
Kiswahili	masaibu
Português	problema, exercício
Français	problème
Deutsch	Übung
Ελληνικά	πρόβλημα próvlima
Română	problemă, exercițiu
Русский	зада́ча zadáča, зада́ние zadánije
العربية	تَمْرِين tamrīn

noun puzzling circumstance

Español	problema, embrollo, lío, bronca
Kiswahili	tatizo, masaibu
Português	problema
Ελληνικά	πρόβλημα próvlima
Română	problemă
Русский	пробле́ма probléma, зада́ча zadáča
العربية	مَسْأَلَة masʔala

noun objection

Español	problema, caucáu

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Cite this

MLA

"problem." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/problem. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

problem. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/problem

Chicago

"problem." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/problem.

BibTeX

@misc{problem_2026,
  title = {problem},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/problem},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}