Definitions for problem
ˈprɒb ləmprob·lem

Princeton's WordNet(3.25 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

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(3.33 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

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.

Webster Dictionary(3.75 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

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. ]

Freebase(3.67 / 6 votes)Rate this definition:

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(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

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. problēma—pro, before, ballein, to throw.]

Suggested Resources(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

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

1. • Difficulty
   • Question

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?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

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. Steve Fitzgerald:

   We are being told that Western civilization is the problem in the world, outside of Western civilization there is only barbarism.

2. Dan Howell:

   Queer people exist, choosing not to accept them is not an option. To anyone watching this that isn't out, it's OK. You're OK. You were born this way. It's right. And anyone that has a problem with it is wrong.

3. Congressman Graves:

   What in Louisiana is a $50 or $70 billion problem, you are talking hundreds of billions and trillions of dollars around the United States and around the world.

4. Marcelo Ebrard:

   They don't intend on shutting (the border) but they have this problem that they are reallocating personnel.

5. Tina Fey:

   With a premise like this that is potentially tricky for people - a kidnapped woman who's getting her life back - once you move to Netflix, the premise is not a problem at all.

Popularity rank by frequency of use