problem

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A difficult situation that needs to be dealt with or solved.

   We have a problem with the car's engine.

2. 2
   noun

   A question or exercise to be answered, especially in maths or study.

   The maths test had ten problems to solve.

3. 3
   noun

   An objection or reason to be unhappy about something.

   Do you have a problem with the way I did it?

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Problem ultimately comes from Greek proballein, “to throw out” or “put forth,” formed from pro, “forward,” and ballein, “to throw.” A problem was initially a riddle, puzzle, or question put forward for academic discussion.

From Middle English probleme, from Middle French probleme, from Latin problēma, from Ancient Greek πρόβλημα (próblēma, “anything thrown forward, hindrance, obstacle, anything projecting, a headland, promontory”), from προβάλλω (probállō, “to throw or lay something in front of someone, to put forward”), from προ- (pro-, “in front of”) + βάλλω (bállō, “to throw, to cast, to hurl”). Doublet of problema.

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External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary