# troubles

/ˈtɹəbəɫz/ (US) · /tɹˈʌbəlz/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. problems or worries

noun · CEFR A2

problems, difficulties, or things that make you feel worried.

For teachers: multiple instances of difficulty, distress, or personal anxiety.

- She shared her troubles with her best friend over a cup of tea.
- Despite his financial troubles, he remained optimistic about the long-term success of his small business venture.

### 2. the conflict in Northern Ireland

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Formal

the period of violent conflict in Northern Ireland from the 1960s to the 1990s.

For teachers: the period of ethno-nationalist conflict in Northern Ireland, typically dated from the late 1960s to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

- Many books have been written about the history of the Troubles in Belfast.
- The peace process was designed to bring a definitive end to the Troubles, which had devastated communities across Northern Ireland for decades.

Usage: Always used with 'the' and usually capitalized as 'the Troubles'.

Teaching tip: This is a specific historical term; outside of an Irish or British historical context, 'troubles' just means general problems.

## Examples

- She shared her troubles with her best friend.
- The new manager inherited a company with many financial troubles that required immediate attention.
- Despite the economic troubles facing the region, the local community remained resilient and continued to support small businesses through the winter.

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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.