Collocations for "difficult"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "difficult" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2026
difficult
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- a difficult [exam, task, job]
- a difficult [situation, problem, issue, business]
- that's a very difficult [question, problem] to [answer, solve]
- [so, too] difficult to answer
- difficult to [find, answer, say, do, understand]
- difficult to [handle, manage, deal with, cope]
- a difficult [puzzle, crossword, conundrum]
- difficult [conditions, circumstances, terms]
- going through a difficult [period, time, patch, year]
- finding it difficult to [sleep, concentrate, breathe]
- the [store, information, book] is difficult to find
- [extremely, impossibly, very, quite, rather] difficult
- difficult but not [impossible, unsurmountable, out of the question]
- a difficult [person, baby, child, teenager, student, individual]
- is at a difficult age
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'difficult' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
achieve
- admit
- argue
- assess
- back
- become
- can
- choose
- convey
- date
- define
- explain
- find
- finish
- follow
- forget
- learn
- maintain
- make
- may
- move
- open
- place
- please
- process
- prove
- realize
- relate
- teach
- think
- understand
- use
- afternoon
- approach
- birth
- challenge
- childhood
- choice
- class
- concept
- course
- decision
- degree
- dish
- essay
- exam
- goal
- journey
- lesson
- level
