problem

prob‧lem S1 W1 /ˈprɒbləm $ ˈprɑː-/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: French; Origin: problème, from Latin problema, from Greek, 'something thrown forward', from proballein 'to throw forward']
1. DIFFICULTY a situation that causes difficulties:
She was older than me, but that wasn’t really a problem.
problem of
The problem of street crime is getting worse every year.
problem with
I’ve been having a few problems with my car.
REGISTER
In writing, people sometimes prefer to use the word issue rather than problem, as it sounds more neutral and less negative:
▪ the issue of race relations
2. something wrong with your health or with part of your body
health problem/problem with your health
Does she have any long-term health problems?
back/heart/kidney etc problem
If you have back problems you should avoid lifting heavy objects.
hearing problem
Many people with hearing problems try to hide their condition.
weight problem
She refuses to admit to herself that she has a weight problem.
emotional/psychological problem
Is this a sign of some kind of deeper psychological problem?
3. QUESTION a question for which you have to find the right answer, using mathematics or careful thought:
She gave us 20 mathematical problems to solve.
4. no problem spoken
a) used to say that you are happy to do something or for someone else to do something:
‘Can I bring a friend?’ ‘Sure, no problem.’
b) used after someone has said thank you or said that they are sorry:
‘Thanks for all your help.’ ‘No problem!’
5. have no problem (in) doing something to do something easily:
I’ve had no problem recruiting staff.
6. the (only) problem is (that) ... spoken used before saying what the main difficulty in a situation is:
The problem is, there isn’t enough time.
7. that’s your/his etc problem spoken used to say rudely that someone else is responsible for dealing with a situation, not you:
If you miss the train, that’s your problem.
8. it’s/that’s not my problem spoken used to say rudely that you are not responsible for dealing with a particular problem and are not willing to help:
‘We’ve got a serious staffing shortage.’ ‘That’s not my problem.’
9. What’s your/his etc problem? spoken informal used when you think that someone is behaving in a way that is unreasonable
10. Do you have a problem with that? spoken informal used to ask someone why they seem to disagree with you, in a way that shows that you are annoyed
11. problem child/family/drinker etc a child etc whose behaviour causes problems for other people
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ have a problem We saw water rushing in and realised we had a serious problem.
▪ cause/create a problem The building’s lack of parking space could cause problems.
▪ present/pose a problem (=cause it or make it have to be considered) A shortage of trained nurses is posing major problems.
▪ deal with/sort out a problem The state has failed to deal with the problem of violence against women.
▪ tackle/address a problem (=deal with it) There is more than one way to tackle this problem.
▪ solve/resolve a problem (also fix a problem informal) He solved his financial problems by selling his car.
▪ overcome a problem We try to help families overcome housing problems.
▪ face a problem Terrorism is possibly the most important problem facing western countries.
▪ raise a problem (=mention it, so that people can discuss it) He also raised the problem of noise from planes taking off and landing.
▪ encounter/experience a problem You shouldn’t encounter any further problems.
▪ a problem arises/occurs (also a problem comes up) (=it happens) Problems may arise when the family wants to move house.
▪ compound/exacerbate a problem formal (=make it worse) The country’s economic problems are compounded by its ageing population.
▪ the problem lies in/with something The problem lies in the design of the rocket.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + problem
▪ big/major/serious The school’s biggest problem is a shortage of cash.
▪ little/small/minor Old cars often develop minor engine problems.
▪ the main problem The main problem for the climbers was lack of sleep.
▪ a real problem They quickly found that their real problem lay with marketing.
▪ a difficult problem Does the team have the skills to tackle these difficult problems?
▪ a thorny/knotty problem (=difficult) He still faced the thorny problem of finding a way out of the jungle.
▪ a fundamental problem (=relating to the most basic and important parts of something ) The government has done little to solve the fundamental problems of poverty and crime.
▪ a pressing problem (=one that needs to be dealt with very soon) Lack of clean drinking water is the most pressing problem facing the refugees.
▪ personal problems (=relating to your private life and relationships) My daughter found it hard to talk about her personal problems.
▪ family problems She would never discuss family problems with outsiders.
▪ financial/money problems Our financial problems are over.
▪ economic problems He argued that the government was to blame for the country’s economic problems.
▪ a technical problem The delay was caused by technical problems.
▪ a practical problem Burying a pet can present practical problems.
▪ an environmental problem Air pollution is our most serious environmental problem.
■ COMMON ERRORS
► It is more usual to say a big problem, a major problem or a serious problem, instead of saying 'an important problem'.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + problem
▪ a health/medical problem Have you ever suffered from any of these health problems?
▪ a back/heart/kidney etc problem He was born with heart problems.
▪ a hearing problem There are special telephones for people with hearing problems.
▪ a weight problem (=the problem of being too fat) Patients with weight problems were put on a strict diet.
▪ psychological problems (also mental health problems) She is being treated for psychological problems at a mental hospital in Oxford.
▪ emotional problems He suffers from depression and other emotional problems.
▪ behavioural problems Many of these children have behavioural problems.
▪ a serious/major problem Lifting things carelessly can lead to serious back problems.
▪ a minor problem She has had some minor medical problems.
■ verbs
▪ have a problem He's always had a weight problem.
▪ suffer (from) a problem The patient began to suffer breathing problems.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ setback a problem that stops you from making progress: The space program suffered a major setback when the space shuttle, Discovery, exploded.
▪ snag informal a problem, especially one that you had not expected: There’s a snag – I don’t have his number.
▪ hitch a small problem that delays or prevents something: There have been a few last-minute hitches.
▪ trouble when something does not work in the way it should: The plane developed engine trouble.
▪ hassle spoken a situation that is annoying because it causes problems: Just trying to store all this stuff is a hassle.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

problem

prob·lem [problem problems] noun, adjective [ˈprɒbləm] [ˈprɑːbləm]

noun
1. a thing that is difficult to deal with or to understand
• big/major/serious problems
• health/family, etc. problems
• financial/practical/technical problems
• to address/tackle/solve a problem
• (especially NAmE) to fix a problem
• the problem of drug abuse
• If he chooses Mary it's bound to cause problems.
• Let me know if you have any problems.
• Most students face the problem of funding themselves while they are studying.
• The problem first arose in 2008.
• Unemployment is a very real problem for graduates now.
• It's a nice table! The only problem is (that) it's too big for our room.
• Stop worrying about their marriage— it isn't your problem.
• There's no history of heart problems (= disease connected with the heart) in our family.

• the magazine's problem page (= containing letters about readers' problems and advice about how to solve them)

2. a question that can be answered by using logical thought or mathematics
• mathematical problems
• to find the answer to the problem
• The teacher set us 50 problems to do.
Word Origin:
late Middle English (originally denoting a riddle or a question for academic discussion): from Old French probleme, via Latin from Greek problēma, from proballein ‘put forth’, from pro ‘before’ + ballein ‘to throw’.
Thesaurus:
problem noun C
• Unemployment is a real problem for graduates now.
difficulty • • issue • • trouble • • complication • |especially spoken the matter • |usually approving challenge •
(a/an/the) problem/difficulty/trouble/complication/issue/matter with sth
have problems/difficulties/issues/trouble
cause/avoid problems/difficulties/trouble/complications
create/bring/run into problems/difficulties/trouble
Problem or difficulty? To talk about one thing that is difficult to deal with use problem; to talk about more than one thing use either word
• The problem first arose in 2008.
• The project has been fraught with problems/difficulties from the start.

Example Bank:
• All the anti-depressant does is mask the problem.
• Depression is a natural feeling if your problems seem intractable.
• Do you have a problem with her?
• For years I've tried to overlook this problem.
• Fortunately, it's easy to avoid any potential problems.
• Framing the problem is an important step.
• He believes he may have found a solution to the problem.
• He developed a drinking problem.
• He doesn't really see the problem.
• He doesn't seem to understand my problem.
• He had to undergo surgery to cure the problem with his knee.
• He has been faced with all manner of problems in his new job.
• Her new job had taken her mind off her family problems for a while.
• His teachers say he has an attitude problem.
• I didn't imagine there would be a problem about getting tickets.
• I don't anticipate any future problems in that regard.
• I forgot my problems for a moment.
• I have five problems to do for homework.
• I'm glad you finally admitted your problem.
• If the problem persists you should see a doctor.
• Inadequate resources pose a problem for all members of staff.
• Most people can see the ethical problem with accepting such an offer.
• No one ever asked why or how the problem originated.
• One out of every five people is a problem drinker.
• Our greatest problem is the lack of funds.
• She had serious substance abuse problems with both cocaine and heroin.
• She raised the problem of falling sales at the last meeting.
• Staff shortages cause problems for the organization.
• Success brings its own problems.
• Systemic security problems have been identified.
• The accident poses a terrible problem for the family.
• The basic problem remains the lack of available housing.
• The next meeting will address the problem of obesity.
• The plan has been fraught with problems from the start.
• The problem lies in the lack of communication between managers and staff.
• The rail strike is a problem for all commuters.
• The role of the sun in climate change is still a big unsolved problem.
• The traffic in illegal drugs is a global problem.
• Therein lies the problem.
• These symptoms may indicate a serious problem.
• They blame the problem on the new prescription drug law.
• They created a task force to study this problem.
• They sold their car to ease their financial problems.
• This illustrates another potential problem.
• This kind of activity develops the children's problem-solving skills.
• This underscores the biggest problem with electronic voting.
• Unforeseen problems often arise.
• We had communication problems.
• We need to get to the root of the problem before we can solve it.
• We're faced with a whole host of new problems.
• a new approach to problem drinking
• a problem resulting from technical inadequacy
• an elegant solution to a very complex set of problems
• an important step in battling the terrorist problem
• problems arising from poor ventilation
• solving simple mathematical problems
• the ability to solve simple mathematical problems
• the inherent problems of merging two very different companies
• the problem of poverty
• the problems attributed to capitalism
• the underlying problem that's causing your high blood pressure
• ‘But what am I supposed to do now?’ ‘Don't ask me— it's not my problem/that's your problem.
• ‘Can I pay by credit card?’ ‘Yes, no problem.’
• If he chooses Mary it's bound to cause problems.
• It's a nice table. The only problem is it's too big for the room.
• Most students face the problem of funding themselves while they study.
• Stop worrying about their marriage— it isn't your problem.
• There's no history of heart problems in our family.
• This is one of the great problems of cosmology: where did the overall structure of the universe come from?
• a mathematical/philosophical problem

Idioms: have a problem with something ▪ it's not my problem ▪ no problem ▪ that's her problem ▪ what's your problem?

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

problem / ˈprɒb.ləm / / ˈprɑː.bləm / noun [ C ]

A1 a situation, person, or thing that needs attention and needs to be dealt with or solved:

financial/health problems

Our main problem is lack of cash.

I'm having problems with my computer.

No one has solved the problem of what to do with radioactive waste.

The very high rate of inflation poses/presents (= is) a serious problem for the government.

When is the government going to tackle (= deal with) the problem of poverty in the inner cities?

[ + -ing verb ] Did you have any problems (= difficulties) gett ing here?

I'd love to come - the only problem is I've got friends staying that night.

a question in mathematics that needs an answer:

We were given ten problems to solve.

problem child, family, etc.

a child, etc. whose behaviour is bad

Word partners for problem

experience / have a problem • cause / create / pose / present a problem • a problem faces sb • address / deal with / tackle a problem • a problem arises / comes up / occurs • a big / major / real / serious problem • a problem with sth • the problem of sth

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

problem

[prɒ̱bləm]
♦
problems
1) N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N of/with n A problem is a situation that is unsatisfactory and causes difficulties for people.
  ...the economic problems of the inner city...
  The main problem is unemployment...
  He told Americans that solving the energy problem was very important...
  I do not have a simple solution to the drug problem.
2) N-COUNT A problem is a puzzle that requires logical thought or mathematics to solve it.
  With mathematical problems, you can save time by approximating.
3) ADJ: ADJ n Problem children or problem families have serious problems or cause serious problems for other people.
  In some cases a problem child is placed in a special school...
  She is afraid to contact the social services in case they are labelled a problem family.
  Syn:
  difficult
4) CONVENTION You say `no problem' to show that you are willing to do what you have been asked. [INFORMAL, SPOKEN]
  `Can you repair it?' - `No problem'...
  If the property needs a new dishwasher, no problem, just put it on a credit card.
5) CONVENTION You say `no problem' to let someone know that you do not mind them doing something they have said they are going to do. [INFORMAL, SPOKEN]
  `I ought to think about going actually. If that's all right with you.' - `Yeah. No problem.'...
  If they don't want to speak to me, fine. No problem.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

¹prob·lem /ˈprɑːbləm/ noun, pl -lems
1 [count] : something that is difficult to deal with : something that is a source of trouble, worry, etc.
• Racism and sexism are major social problems.
• The company is having financial problems.
• She has a drug problem. [=she is addicted to drugs]
• He has chronic health/medical problems.
• She has a weight problem. [=her weight is not healthy]
• The mechanic fixed the problem with the car.
• There are a few problems with your argument.
• We have to find a way to solve this problem.
• She is bothered by family/personal/marriage problems.
• We didn't have any problems getting here.
• I have my own problems to deal with.
• Mosquitoes are a problem in the summer.
• When he drinks too much, he causes problems.
• The problem with you is that you're too stubborn.
• We would love to have a dog. The only problem is (that) [=the reason that would be difficult is] we don't have the time to take care of it.
• The fact that you're late is not my problem. [=I am not responsible for helping you deal with the problem of being late]
2 [singular]
a : difficulty in understanding something
• I'm having a problem following your argument.
b : a feeling of not liking or wanting to do something
• “We'll have to leave a little early.” “OK, I don't have a problem with that.” [=that doesn't bother me]
• “He says he won't go.” “What's his problem?” [=why is he being so unreasonable?]
3 [count] : a mathematical question to be solved
• a math problem
• Solve these problems for homework.
no problem also not a problem informal
- used to say that you are happy to do something or that you are not bothered by something
• “Thanks for your help.” “No problem.”
• “I'm sorry for interrupting you.” “No problem.”
• “Can you get this done by lunchtime?” “No problem.”
• “I would like to pay with my credit card.” “Not a problem.”