Added 9 October 2026
problem
/ˈpɹɒbləm/ noun
In Latin: problēma Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about problem at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.
She's leaving because she faced numerous problems to do with racism.
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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.
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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.
adjective
- Of a person or an animal, difficult to train or guide; unruly.
- Causing a problem; problematic; troublesome.
verb
- To problematize.
Origin
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.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)