Problem Definition, Examples, and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：a difficulty (problem)

problem 🔊

/ˈprɑːbləm/

Something that is difficult to deal with or needs to be solved.

a difficulty 🔊

➕

/ə ˈdɪfɪkəlti/

A situation or matter that is challenging and requires a solution.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：初级

📖 Root Explanation

From Greek 'problema': 'pro-' (forward) + 'ballein' (to throw).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'pro' as professional, 'blem' as blemish: a professional blemish to fix.

📖 Example

She is trying to figure out a math problem that looks very tricky. 🔊 She is trying to figure out a math problem that looks very tricky.

🔗 Collocations

big problem – a major issue

solve a problem – to find a solution to a problem

face a problem – to encounter a problem

🔄 Synonyms

issue (n.) – an important topic or problem to discuss

challenge (n.) – a task or situation that tests one's abilities

difficulty (n.) – a situation that is hard to deal with

🚫 Antonyms

solution (n.) – a means of solving a problem

answer (n.) – a response that resolves a question

ease (n.) – absence of difficulty

🌱 Derivatives

problematic (adj.) – causing or involving problems

problematically (adv.) – in a way that causes or involves problems

problem-solving (n./adj.) – the process of finding solutions to problems

📖 Cultural Story

From Greek 'problema' (thing thrown forward), used in geometry for a proposition. Modern usage widespread in daily life.