problem

PRAH-bluhm/ˈpɹɑbləm/UKPROB-luhm/ˈpɹɒbləm/

6 meanings of problem

1
nouncountable
A difficulty or harmful situation or condition that must be dealt with or overcome.
The leak in the roof became a serious problem during the storm.
Management spent weeks trying to solve the staffing problem.
UsageSay have a problem doing something (not ~~incorrect: have a problem to do~~). You solve, face or deal with a problem.
Similardifficulty, issue, trouble, complication, snag
2
school exercisenouncountable
A question to be answered or an exercise to be worked through, especially as schoolwork.
Each problem in the textbook builds on the one before it.
She finished every problem on the worksheet before the bell rang.
UsageProblems like these are solved or worked out: a math problem, the problems on a worksheet.
Similarquestion, exercise, sum
Note
Schoolwork keeps a literal reading of the Greek: a problem is something put forward, laid in front of a student to work out. Unlike a difficulty, an exam problem can be easy.
Checked 2 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
The Greek origin supports interpreting a problem as something put forward as a task to work out. en.wiktionary.org
3
nouncountable
An objection to something, or difficulty or unwillingness in accepting or agreeing with it.
The committee voiced one problem with the proposal before approving it.
I see no problem with starting the meeting an hour earlier.
UsageUsually have a problem with: no problem with waiting. Got a problem with that? dares someone to object.
Similarobjection, issue, difficulty, reservation

Less common meanings

4
adjective
Causing trouble or difficulty; hard to deal with, manage, or control.
The bank quietly sold its problem loans to a collection agency.
The report highlighted several problem areas in the budget.
UsageUsually before a noun: problem child, problem areas, problem loans.
Similartroublesome, problematic, difficult
5
mysterynouncountable
A puzzling or confusing circumstance that is hard to account for.
The disappearance of the funds remained a problem no auditor could explain.
How the cat reached the roof was a problem that puzzled the whole family.
Similarpuzzle, mystery, enigma, riddle, conundrum
6
noun
In climbing, the sequence of moves a climber must work out and execute to complete a particular route.

Practice

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Origin

Ancient Greek próblēma, meaning "an obstacle, a hindrance, anything thrown forward," passed through Latin problēma and Middle French probleme into Middle English as probleme. The Greek noun came from probállō ("to put forward"), made of pro- ("in front of") and bállō ("to throw").