have difficulty doing — to find it hard or challenging to accomplish something
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: to find it hard or challenging to accomplish something
Pronunciation (IPA): /hæv ˈdɪfɪkəlti ˈduːɪŋ/
Example Sentences
- My grandpa has difficulty using smartphones - he still thinks apps are appetizers.
- Students often have difficulty memorizing irregular verbs in English.
- I have difficulty waking up early because my bed and I are in a serious relationship.
have difficulty doing
NOUN[/hæv ˈdɪfɪkəlti ˈduːɪŋ/]
to find it hard or challenging to accomplish something

The toddler seems to have difficulty doing up the buttons on his tiny coat.

Though we have difficulty doing math, this facility unlocks our ability!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Have derives from Old English 'habban', meaning to hold or possess. Difficulty comes from Latin 'difficilis', meaning hard or troublesome, formed from 'dis-' (not) and 'facilis' (easy). The phrase 'have difficulty doing' emerged in Medieval academic discourse when scholars used Latin expressions to describe challenging scholarly pursuits.
Breakdown
have (Old English 'habban': to hold/possess) + difficulty (Latin 'dis-' (not) + 'facilis' (easy) = hard/troublesome) + doing (present participle of do, expressing an action or task).
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandpa has difficulty using smartphones - he still thinks apps are appetizers.”
“Students often have difficulty memorizing irregular verbs in English.”
“I have difficulty waking up early because my bed and I are in a serious relationship.”
“Many people have difficulty maintaining work-life balance.”
📚Related Words
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