problem */*/*/

problem */*/*/
UK [ˈprɒbləm] / US [ˈprɑbləm] noun [countable]
Word forms "problem":
singular problem plural problems
Metaphor:
Problems and troubles are like illnesses. When things get better, people think of the problems as being cured. She thinks we live in a sick society. ♦ We must address the social ills that are at the root of crime ♦ She said that there was a cancer at the very heart of society. ♦ Transport was another headache for the government. ♦ London was paralysed by a series of strikes. ♦ We discussed the company and its ailing finances. ♦ The economy is very healthy/unhealthy. ♦ The economy began to recover. ♦ There is no simple remedy for the problem. ♦ This latest development has reopened old wounds. ♦ He bore the scars of a troubled childhood. ➡ difficulty, responsibility, situation
1) something that causes trouble or difficulty

a major cause of traffic problems in the city

problem of:

the problem of unemployment

problem for:

Homelessness is a serious problem for a lot of young people.

have problems with:

We've been having problems with the heating in the office.

solve a problem:

That still doesn't solve our problem.

cause someone a problem/cause a problem for someone:

The continuing bad weather is causing serious problems for farmers.

pose (= be) a problem (for someone/something):

Racial tensions in the south of the city pose a real problem for the police.

the (only) problem is (that):

They're the best cameras on the market. The only problem is they're incredibly expensive.

a) something that has a bad effect on someone's health or behaviour

a drug/alcohol problem

health/behaviour problems

b) [only before noun] experiencing a lot of difficulties in life, or causing difficulties for other people

a problem child/family

•

Collocations:
Adjectives frequently used with problem
▪  big, fundamental, important, insoluble, intractable, major, pressing, real, serious Verbs frequently used with problem as the object ▪  address, alleviate, cause, compound, create, encounter, exacerbate, experience, face, overcome, pose, resolve, solve, tackle
2) a question that someone is given to answer as a test of their ability

mathematical problems

•

what's your problem? — spoken used for asking someone in a threatening way why they are behaving in a way that you do not like or approve of


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • problem — [präb′ləm] n. [ME probleme < MFr < L problema < Gr problēma < proballein, to throw forward < pro , forward + ballein, to throw, drive: see PRO 1 & BALL2] 1. a question proposed for solution or consideration 2. a question, matter,… …   English World dictionary

  • Problem — Prob lem, n. [F. probl[ e]me, L. problema, fr. Gr. ? anything thrown forward, a question proposed for solution, fr. ? to throw or lay before; ? before, forward + ? to throw. Cf. {Parable}. ] [1913 Webster] 1. A question proposed for solution; a… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • problem — pròblēm m <G probléma> DEFINICIJA 1. teorijsko ili praktično pitanje koje treba riješiti [bit problema; matematički problem; načeti problem] 2. težak zadatak; teškoća, ono što komplicira rješenje ili radni proces [to je problem; to je… …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • Problem — Sn Schwierigkeit, Aufgabe std. (16. Jh.) Entlehnung. Entlehnt aus l. problēma, dieses aus gr. próblēma, eigentlich das Vorgelegte , zu gr. probállein vorwerfen, vorhalten , zu gr. bállein werfen und gr. pro . Die schwächere moderne Bedeutung… …   Etymologisches Wörterbuch der deutschen sprache

  • problem — {{/stl 13}}{{stl 8}}rz. mnż I, D. u, Mc. problemmie {{/stl 8}}{{stl 20}} {{/stl 20}}{{stl 12}}1. {{/stl 12}}{{stl 7}} poważne zagadnienie z jakiejś dziedziny, które trzeba rozstrzygnąć, rozwiązać : {{/stl 7}}{{stl 10}}Problem matematyczny.… …   Langenscheidt Polski wyjaśnień

  • problem — (n.) late 14c., a difficult question proposed for solution, from O.Fr. problème (14c.), from L. problema, from Gk. problema a problem, a question, lit. thing put forward, from proballein propose, from pro forward (see PRO (Cf. pro )) + ballein to …   Etymology dictionary

  • Problēm — (v. gr. Problēma), 1) eine Frage, welche beantwortet, eine Aufgabe, welche gelöst werden soll u. deren Beantwortung u. Lösung nicht unmittelbar zugänglich ist, sondern einer Vermittelung des Denkens od. Handelns bedarf Enthält eine… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • problem — PROBLÉM s.n. v. problemă. Trimis de oprocopiuc, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DEX 98  PROBLÉM s.n. v. problemă. Trimis de LauraGellner, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DN …   Dicționar Român

  • problem — [n1] difficulty; bad situation botheration, box*, can of worms*, complication, count*, crunch*, dilemma, disagreement, dispute, disputed point, doubt, headache*, hitch*, hot water*, issue, mess*, obstacle, pickle*, point at issue*, predicament,… …   New thesaurus

  • Problem — [Wichtig (Rating 3200 5600)] Bsp.: • Wir hatten zuerst ein paar Probleme. • Ich habe hier ein Problem. Kannst du mir helfen? …   Deutsch Wörterbuch

  • Problēm — (griech.) heißt jede der Beantwortung, bez. Lösung harrende wissenschaftliche »Frage« oder »Aufgabe«. Auf dem Wege der Ausstellung und Lösung immer neuer Probleme erfolgt die Entwickelung jeder Wissenschaft, und die Aufzeigung und zweckmäßige… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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