# hardship

/ˈhɑɹdʃɪp/ (US) · /hˈɑːdʃɪp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hardship
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. difficult living conditions

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 2. a specific burden

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The family faced many hardships during the war.
- She saved every penny to prepare for future financial hardships.
- The memoir details the physical hardships of the expedition, from freezing temperatures to scarce rations, without romanticising the struggle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.