What does problem mean?

Definitions for problem
ˈprɒb ləmprob·lem

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word problem.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. problem, jobnoun

    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"

  2. problemnoun

    a question raised for consideration or solution

    "our homework consisted of ten problems to solve"

  3. trouble, problemnoun

    a source of difficulty

    "one trouble after another delayed the job"; "what's the problem?"

Wiktionary

  1. problemnoun

    A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.

  2. problemnoun

    A question to be answered, schoolwork exercise.

  3. problemnoun

    A puzzling circumstance.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. PROBLEMnoun

    A question proposed.

    Etymology: probleme, Fr. πϱόβλημα.

    The problem is, whether a man constantly and strongly believing, that such a thing shall be, it doth help any thing to the effecting of the thing. Francis Bacon, Nat. Hist.

    Although in general one understood colours, yet were it not an easy problem to resolve, why grass is green? Brown.

    This problem let philosophers resolve,
    What makes the globe from West to East revolve. Richard Blackmore.

Wikipedia

  1. Problem

    Problem solving is the process of achieving a goal by overcoming obstacles, a frequent part of most activities. Problems in need of solutions range from simple personal tasks (e.g. how to turn on an appliance) to complex issues in business and technical fields. The former is an example of simple problem solving (SPS) addressing one issue, whereas the latter is complex problem solving (CPS) with multiple interrelated obstacles. Another classification is into well-defined problems with specific obstacles and goals, and ill-defined problems in which the current situation is troublesome but it is not clear what kind of resolution to aim for. Similarly, one may distinguish formal or fact-based problems requiring psychometric intelligence, versus socio-emotional problems which depend on the changeable emotions of individuals or groups, such as tactful behavior, fashion, or gift choices.Solutions require sufficient resources and knowledge to attain the goal. Professionals such as lawyers, doctors, and consultants are largely problem solvers for issues which require technical skills and knowledge beyond general competence. Many businesses have found profitable markets by recognizing a problem and creating a solution: the more widespread and inconvenient the problem, the greater the opportunity to develop a scalable solution. There are many specialized problem-solving techniques and methods in fields such as engineering, business, medicine, mathematics, computer science, philosophy, and social organization. The mental techniques to identify, analyze, and solve problems are studied in psychology and cognitive sciences. Additionally, the mental obstacles preventing people from finding solutions is a widely researched topic: problem solving impediments include confirmation bias, mental set, and functional fixedness.

ChatGPT

  1. problem

    A problem can be defined as a situation or an issue that needs to be resolved or dealt with. It typically involves a discrepancy between the current state or desired situation and the actual state or existing situation. Problems may vary in complexity and can arise in various areas of life, such as personal, professional, social, or academic. They often require analysis, decision-making, and the application of logical and creative thinking to find viable solutions or alternatives. Overall, a problem represents a challenge or obstacle that requires attention and effort to overcome.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Problemnoun

    a question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt

  2. Problemnoun

    anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an unknown quantity

  3. Etymology: [F. problme, L. problema, fr. Gr. anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. to throw or lay before; before, forward + to throw. Cf. Parable. ]

Wikidata

  1. Problem

    A problem is the relation between human will and reality. When will and reality do not coincide, the resolution of this gap between reality and will is the solution of the problem. A problem implies a desired outcome coupled with an apparent deficiency, doubt or inconsistency that prevents the outcome from taking place.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Problem

    prob′lem, n. a matter difficult of settlement or solution: (geom.) a proposition in which something is required to be done.—adjs. Problemat′ic, -al, of the nature of a problem: questionable: doubtful.—adv. Problemat′ically.—v.i. Prob′lematise. [Fr.,—L.,—Gr. problēmapro, before, ballein, to throw.]

Suggested Resources

  1. problem

    Quotes by problem -- Explore a large variety of famous quotes made by problem on the Quotes.net website.

  2. problem

    Song lyrics by problem -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by problem on the Lyrics.com website.

Matched Categories

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'problem' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #310

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'problem' in Written Corpus Frequency: #298

  3. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'problem' in Nouns Frequency: #23

How to pronounce problem?

How to say problem in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of problem in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of problem in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of problem in a Sentence

  1. Whitney Way Thore:

    Fat-shaming is a thing ; it's a really big thing, no pun intended, it is the really nasty spawn of a larger parent problem called body-shaming, which I'm fairly certain everyone on the planet, especially women, has experienced.

  2. Czech Interior Minister Josef Chovanec:

    We do not have a problem with the directive as a whole, but we will want to rework it so it does not amount to disarming Czech citizens.

  3. Piotr Liroy-Marzec:

    These old farts do not really understand young people and this is their problem.

  4. Simon Mays:

    Our study shows that vitamin D deficiency is far from being a new problem -- even 2,000 years ago people, especially babies, were at risk.

  5. Gil Kerlikowske:

    All of these things have kind of been stopgap measures, they have alleviated some of the problem but not stopped the problem.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

problem#1#553#10000

Translations for problem

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

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"problem." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 19 Mar. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/problem>.

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    a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody
    A knead
    B abrade
    C descant
    D flub

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