What does "hardship" mean?

1. (difficult living conditions) a situation where you suffer because you lack money, food, or other basic things. 2. (a specific burden) a specific problem or difficult situation that makes your life harder.

How do you use "hardship"?

Often used as an uncountable noun to describe a general state of suffering, but can be countable when referring to specific difficult events. Commonly appears in the phrase 'undue hardship' in legal or formal contexts.

hardship

US //ˈhɑɹdʃɪp// UK //hˈɑːdʃɪp// hard·ship

1 difficult living conditions (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a situation where you suffer because you lack money, food, or other basic things.

a condition of severe privation or suffering, often resulting from poverty or lack of resources.

Example

The family faced great hardship after the factory closed and they lost their income.

Example

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.
- privation
- adversity
- destitution
2 a specific burden (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a specific problem or difficult situation that makes your life harder.

a specific circumstance that imposes a burden or creates a significant obstacle for an individual.

Example

The long commute to work was a real hardship for the new parents.

Example

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.

Teacher's tip

In formal or legal English, this sense often refers to a difficulty that is considered 'too much' to expect someone to bear.
- benefit
- advantage

Origin

From Middle English hardshipe, equivalent to hard + -ship.