Word
troublesome
Phoneticstrou·ble·some, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɹəbəɫsəm/
UK/tɹˈʌbəlsˌʌm/
Definition
adj. causing a lot of problems, worry, or extra work. You use this to describe something that is difficult to deal with over a long time.
adj. causing difficulty, annoyance, or persistent problems. Often used to describe recurring issues or behavior that requires constant attention.
Examples
“The old car is becoming very troublesome to maintain.”
“The manager spent the afternoon dealing with a troublesome software bug that kept crashing the system.”
“While the initial symptoms were mild, the patient soon developed a troublesome cough that resisted standard treatments and required a specialist's intervention.”
Examples
simple
“The old car is becoming very troublesome to maintain.”
contextual
“The manager spent the afternoon dealing with a troublesome software bug that kept crashing the system.”
complex
“While the initial symptoms were mild, the patient soon developed a troublesome cough that resisted standard treatments and required a specialist's intervention.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after linking verbs like 'become' or 'prove'.
Real-World Examples
“And yet, against this picture, there’s the somewhat troublesome fact that, for better and worse, it has never been easier for a writer to find an audience.” Etymology
From trouble + -some.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
- 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
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englishreference.com/q/troublesome