# troublesome

/ˈtɹəbəɫsəm/ (US) · /tɹˈʌbəlsˌʌm/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/troublesome
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Usage notes

- Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after linking verbs like 'become' or 'prove'.

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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.