Definition

1. Noun:
   • A source of difficulty or trouble: A situation, person, or thing that causes inconvenience, worry, or is hard to deal with.
   • A question or puzzle proposed for solution: A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful that needs to be resolved or overcome.
   • A matter requiring thought or skill to be answered or solved: Often used in mathematics, science, or logic to denote a specific exercise or challenge.

Usage Examples

• As a source of difficulty:
  • The main problem with the car is its faulty engine.
  • Financial problems kept him awake at night.
• As a question for solution:
  • The teacher gave us five math problems for homework.
  • Solving this technical problem requires expertise.
• In a general state of difficulty:
  • They are having marital problems.
  • The city faces serious problems with pollution.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a problem with (someone/something)": To disagree with or object to someone or something.
  • Do you have a problem with my decision?
• "No problem": A common informal response to mean "you're welcome" or to indicate that something is not difficult or troublesome.
  • "Thanks for your help." – "No problem."
• "That's your problem": A dismissive phrase indicating that the speaker does not consider the issue their responsibility.
  • If you're late, that's your problem.

Variants and Related Words

• Problematic (adj): Constituting or presenting a problem; doubtful or uncertain.
  • The plan's success is problematic.
• Problem-solving (n): The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues.
  • This job requires strong problem-solving skills.

Synonyms

• Difficulty: A thing that is hard to accomplish, deal with, or understand.
• Issue: An important topic or problem for debate or discussion.
• Trouble: Difficulty or problems.
• Challenge: A task or situation that tests someone's abilities.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• "To problem-solve" (verb, often hyphenated): To analyze and find solutions to problems.
  • We need to sit down and problem-solve this issue together.

Related Idioms

• "The problem child": A person or project that is particularly troublesome or difficult to manage.
  • That division has become the company's problem child.
• "It's not my problem": Used to indicate that one is not responsible for or affected by a particular difficulty.
  • How they fix the budget is not my problem.

Noun

1. a source of difficulty
   • one trouble after another delayed the job
   • what's the problem?
2. a question raised for consideration or solution
   • our homework consisted of ten problems to solve
3. a state of difficulty that needs to be resolved
   • she and her husband are having problems
   • it is always a job to contact him
   • urban problems such as traffic congestion and smog