issue

SayISH-oo/ˈɪʃ(j)u/AUS/ˈɪʃʉː/ISH-yoo/ˈɪʃjuː/

Pluralissues

Verbissues, issuing, issued

32 meanings of issue

Practice

1
topic of debatenounfigurativelycountable
A subject people disagree about and are trying to settle, including in a court of law.
Like a question two friends keep arguing about and can't agree on.
Climate change is a big issue in this election.
The two sides could not agree on the main issues.
UsageSay take issue with something when you disagree with it.
Similarmatter, question, topic, subject, point
2
nouncountable
A question or problem that needs to be dealt with or fixed.
There is an issue with the Wi-Fi, so class will start late.
The mechanic found two issues with the brakes.
UsageSay we have an issue with the computer: a problem.
Similarproblem, snag, concern, difficulty
Note
3
personal problemnounUScountable
A gentle, vague word for a personal problem, often an emotional or mental one.
Like calling a big worry just 'a little something' to make it sound smaller.
She's been working through some issues since the divorce.
He has an issue with feeling left out at school.
UsageSay trust issues or money issues for personal problems.
Similarproblem, difficulty, hang-up, trouble, complex
4
officially giveverbtransitive
To officially give or send out something, like a statement, a passport, equipment or new money.
The court will issue a warrant for his arrest.
The judge issued an order to stop the work.
UsageSay issue a warning or issue a ticket.
Similarrelease, publish, distribute
Oppositewithdraw, revoke, recall
Note
5
magazine editionnouncountable
One edition of a magazine or newspaper, put out on a certain date.
Like one episode of a show, but printed on paper and sold every week.
The latest issue of the magazine has a story about space.
She collects old issues of the newspaper from the 1960s.
UsageSay the June issue of a magazine.
Similaredition, number
Note
6
noununcountable
The act of officially giving out or putting out things like money, shares, supplies or library books.
Like handing out school supplies to every student at the start of the year.
The issue of the new coins began last month.
People lined up early for the issue of free tickets.
Similarrelease, distribution
Oppositewithdrawal, recall

Less common meanings

7
investmentnouncountable
A bond, share, or similar paper that a company sells to raise money.
This issue pays interest twice a year.
Investors bought the bank's latest issue within hours.
Similarsecurity
Note
8
flow outverbintransitive
To come or flow out of a place.
Like water coming out of a tap when you turn it on.
Smoke started to issue from the old chimney.
Water issued from a crack in the rock.
UsageSay smoke issues from a chimney: it comes out.
Similaremerge, flow, emanate, stream
Note
9
descendantsnounfigurativelyuncountable
A person's children, or all the people born in their family line after them.
Like all the branches that grow out from one family tree.
He died without issue, so the house went to his sister.
Under the will, the farm passes to her issue after her death.
Similaroffspring, descendants, progeny, children
Oppositeancestors
10
result inverbintransitive
To end in a certain way or lead to a certain result.
Like a small stream that finally flows into a big river.
Such careless habits can issue in serious trouble.
The long dispute issued in years of silence between them.
UsageSay talks issued in peace: they ended in peace.
Similarresult, end, culminate
Note
11
nouncountable
All the copies of a book printed at one time, different from later printings.
The first issue of the book is worth a lot to collectors.
Collectors want the first issue of this book, before the mistakes were fixed.
Similarprinting, impression, run
Note
12
open ontoverbintransitive
To open out onto or lead into a place.
Like a small path that leads out into a big open field.
The narrow hallway issues onto a bright courtyard.
The tunnels issue into a large underground hall.
UsageSay a hall issues onto a garden: it opens onto it.
Similaropen, lead, give, empty
13
nounslangfigurativelywith the
The whole amount of something, or all of it together.
Similarlot, stock, entirety, totality
Note
14
outflownouncountable or uncountable
The act of flowing or coming out, like water from a spring or fluid from the body.
A steady issue of water came from the crack in the rock.
The issue of smoke from the chimney stopped when the fire went out.
Similardischarge, outflow, emission
Note
15
river mouthnounarchaic
The place where a river or lake flows out into a larger body of water.
Note
16
drained fluidnounarchaic
The fluid that drains out through a cut or opening in the body.
For she doted upon their paramours, whose flesh is as the flesh of asses, and whose issue is like the issue of horses.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, issue means fluid flowing out from the body.
Note
17
land incomenounarchaic
The crops or money that come from farmland or rented property.
Similaryield
Note
18
outcome of talksnounarchaic
The way something ends, or the result it has.
Note
19
nounrarehistoricaluncountable
Money that comes from fines charged by a court or an officer of the law.
Similarproceeds, revenue, income
Note
20
verb
In a lawsuit, to reach the exact point that the two sides disagree about.
21
noun
A person or thing that flows out or comes out of something.
22
nounarchaic
A small cut made in the skin on purpose to let fluid drain out.
Issues and fontanels were supposed remedies for joint diseases, pulmonary tuberculosis, and other chronic conditions.
2005, James Harold Kirkup, The Evolution of Surgical InstrumentsHere, issues means small cuts made on purpose to let fluid drain out.
23
nounobsolete
An attack where soldiers go out toward the enemy.
24
nounobsolete
A people who all come from the same ancestor.
25
nounobsolete
The guts of an animal killed for food.
26
nounobsolete
Something a person does.
27
nounobsolete
Good or bad luck sent by fate or God.
28
nounobsolete
A drain for dirty water.
29
nounobsolete
A way to leave a place.
How if there were no centre at all, but just one alley after another, and the whole world a labyrinth without end or issue?
1881, Robert Louis Stevenson, Virginibus Puerisque
30
nounobsolete
Having to pick between two bad options.
31
nounarchaic
A time when you feel an emotion.
32
nounarchaic
Getting out of a situation.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of issue apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

This word comes from Old French "issue," meaning "a way out," which came from Latin "exeo," "to go out" (from "ex-" meaning "out" plus "eo" meaning "go").

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Issue comes from Old French issue, meaning a way out. en.wiktionary.org
The French word ultimately derives from Latin exeo, meaning to go out. en.wiktionary.org
Exeo combines ex-, meaning out, and eo, meaning go. en.wiktionary.org