Word
obstacle
Phoneticsob·sta·cle, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɑbstəkəɫ/
UK/ˈɒbstəkəl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. something that blocks your path or makes it difficult for you to reach a goal.
n. a thing that blocks one's way or prevents or hinders progress. Often used metaphorically to describe social or psychological barriers.
Examples
“The fallen tree was a major obstacle on the road.”
“Lack of funding proved to be the biggest obstacle to starting the new community garden.”
“The legal team worked tirelessly to overcome every bureaucratic obstacle that the opposing counsel placed in their path during the merger negotiations.”
Examples
simple
“The fallen tree was a major obstacle on the road.”
contextual
“Lack of funding proved to be the biggest obstacle to starting the new community garden.”
complex
“The legal team worked tirelessly to overcome every bureaucratic obstacle that the opposing counsel placed in their path during the merger negotiations.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “obstacle” in context.
Verb
01. overcome obstacle
“She had to work hard to overcome every obstacle that stood in the way of her career goals.”
verb + noun
Usage
Commonly used with the verbs 'overcome', 'encounter', or 'remove'.
Real-World Examples
“Kittle's research positions MLLs' home languages as a vital asset in their education rather than an obstacle.” “These are obstacle courses, really, where enemies aren’t so much a threat as they are something to be hurdled – or better yet, avoided.” “Achieving these two effects at once had been a major technical obstacle.” Etymology
From Middle English obstacle, from Old French obstacle, from Latin obstāculum.
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 IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/obstacle