Word
hardship
Phoneticshard·ship, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɑɹdʃɪp/
UK/hˈɑːdʃɪp/
Definitions
01difficult living conditions
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a situation where you suffer because you lack money, food, or other basic things.
n. a condition of severe privation or suffering, often resulting from poverty or lack of resources.
“The family faced great hardship after the factory closed and they lost their income.”
“The economic depression brought widespread hardship to the region, leaving many families unable to afford basic heating during the winter months.”
Usage
Often used as an uncountable noun to describe a general state of suffering, but can be countable when referring to specific difficult events.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02a specific burden
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a specific problem or difficult situation that makes your life harder.
n. a specific circumstance that imposes a burden or creates a significant obstacle for an individual.
“The long commute to work was a real hardship for the new parents.”
“The court may grant a waiver if the defendant can prove that the fine would cause undue financial hardship.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'undue hardship' in legal or formal contexts.
Teaching tip
In formal or legal English, this sense often refers to a difficulty that is considered 'too much' to expect someone to bear.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “hardship” in context.
Adjective
01. economic hardship
“Many families faced severe economic hardship during the global recession.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“In Mandinka, Mentending means tomato, a name her family connected to survival, like a plant that continues to grow despite hardship.” “His resourcefulness, humour and care for others, even in the face of hardship, remind me of people I’ve known throughout my life.” Etymology
From Middle English hardshipe, equivalent to hard + -ship.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/hardship