trouble

noun

UK /ˈtrʌb(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	trouble
plural	troubles

1
countable/uncountable problems, worries, or difficulties
The company has had serious financial troubles recently.
The trouble started when I was transferred to a new department.
You could tell your troubles to this man, she thought.
a life filled with pain and trouble
have trouble with something:
I’m having some trouble with this new software.
have trouble doing something:
He was having trouble hearing her (=finding it difficult to hear her).
cause/make trouble for someone/something:
She can make a lot of trouble for you.
cause someone/something trouble:
It would just cause me more trouble in the long run.
Synonyms and related words
General problems and difficulties
problem
difficulty
trouble
1. 1a
  singular an aspect or feature of someone or something that causes problems, worries, or difficulties
  the trouble (with someone/something) is (that):
  The trouble with my parents is they think I’m still a child.
  the only trouble (with someone/something) is (that):
  The only trouble with that idea was that Isabel would never agree to it.
  someone’s trouble is (that):
  Your trouble is you are greedy.
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things that cause worry or problems
  a bone of contention
  a hostage to fortune
  a nail in the coffin
2
uncountable a health problem affecting a part of your body
heart/stomach/back trouble:
My family has a history of heart trouble.
give/cause someone trouble:
My knee’s been giving me a lot of trouble lately.
have trouble with something:
She’s been having a bit of trouble with her eyes.
Synonyms and related words
General words for illnesses, diseases and medical conditions
illness
disease
sickness
1. 2a
  a problem affecting a machine or system that makes it not work as it should
  engine/mechanical trouble:
  The plane developed engine trouble five minutes after take-off.
  Synonyms and related words
  Problems with machines
  bit rot
  breakdown
  bug
3
uncountable additional or special effort that causes you problems or difficulties
it’s no trouble (for someone to do something):
It’s no trouble at all for me to get her phone number.
I don’t mind waiting – it’s no trouble.
put someone to a lot of trouble:
Sorry we put you to such a lot of trouble.
take the trouble to do something:
Thank you for taking the trouble to reply.
take trouble over/with something:
She takes a considerable amount of trouble over her appearance.
go to/take a lot of trouble (to do something):
He’d gone to a lot of trouble to make the evening go perfectly.
go to the trouble of doing something:
Why go to the trouble of washing them by hand?
save someone the trouble of doing something:
I’ll do your shopping to save you the trouble of going out.
save yourself trouble:
You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble if you choose carefully.
be more trouble than someone/something is worth:
Growing roses is more trouble than it is worth.
Synonyms and related words
General problems and difficulties
problem
difficulty
trouble
4
uncountable an unpleasant, difficult, or dangerous situation
be in trouble:
I knew we were in trouble when the lift stopped.
The company is in trouble primarily because of poor management.
run into trouble:
The plane ran into serious trouble soon after take-off.
get into trouble:
The horse got into trouble at the first fence.
Synonyms and related words
Difficult situations and experiences
crisis
battle
nightmare
Synonyms and related words
Dangerous or exciting situations
danger
crisis
emergency
5
uncountable a situation for which you are likely to be blamed, criticized, or punished
be in trouble (with someone):
I hear she’s in trouble with the police again.
be in serious/big/deep trouble:
If he hears about this, you’ll be in big trouble.
get into trouble (for doing something):
I got into trouble for being late.
get someone into trouble:
If you break it, you’ll get us all into trouble.
stay/keep out of trouble:
He’s managed to stay out of trouble since coming out of jail.
Synonyms and related words
Difficult situations and experiences
crisis
battle
nightmare
6
countable/uncountable fighting, violence, or bad behaviour
There’s been a lot of trouble in the neighbourhood recently.
trouble starts:
The trouble started when he accused someone of stealing his bicycle.
make/cause trouble:
Peter used to make a lot of trouble at school.
crowd trouble:
There was crowd trouble at the last match.
trouble flares/erupts:
Trouble flared on the estate after a youth was arrested.
Synonyms and related words
Morally bad or wrong behaviour
evil
sin
wrong
Synonyms and related words
Situations involving fighting and violence
aggression
brutality
bloodshed

phrases

asking for trouble

get someone into trouble

looking for trouble

no trouble

there’s trouble at t’mill

trouble is brewing (for)

trouble

noun

US /ˈtrʌb(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	trouble
plural	troubles

1
countable/uncountable problems, worries, or difficulties
The company has been experiencing serious financial troubles recently.
The trouble started when I was transferred to a new department.
You could tell your troubles to this man, she thought.
a life filled with pain and trouble
have trouble with something:
I’m having some trouble with this new software.
have trouble doing something:
He was having trouble hearing her (=finding it difficult to hear her).
cause/make trouble for someone/something:
She can make a lot of trouble for you.
cause someone/something trouble:
It would just cause me more trouble in the long run.
Synonyms and related words
General problems and difficulties
problem
difficulty
trouble
1. 1a
  singular an aspect or feature of someone or something that causes problems, worries, or difficulties
  the trouble (with someone/something) is (that):
  The trouble with my parents is they think I’m still a child.
  the only trouble (with someone/something) is (that):
  The only trouble with that idea was that Isabel would never agree to it.
  someone’s trouble is (that):
  Your trouble is you are greedy.
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things that cause worry or problems
  a bone of contention
  a hostage to fortune
  a nail in the coffin
2
uncountable a health problem affecting a part of your body
heart/stomach/back trouble:
My family has a history of heart trouble.
give/cause someone trouble:
My knee’s been giving me a lot of trouble lately.
have trouble with something:
She’s been having a little trouble with her eyes.
Synonyms and related words
General words for illnesses, diseases and medical conditions
illness
disease
sickness
1. 2a
  a problem affecting a machine or system that makes it not work as it should
  engine/mechanical trouble:
  The plane developed engine trouble five minutes after take-off.
  Synonyms and related words
  Problems with machines
  bit rot
  breakdown
  bug
3
uncountable additional or special effort that causes you problems or difficulties
it’s no trouble (for someone to do something):
It’s no trouble at all for me to get her phone number.
I don’t mind waiting – it’s no trouble.
put someone to a lot of trouble:
Sorry we put you to such a lot of trouble.
take the trouble to do something:
Thank you for taking the trouble to reply.
go to/take a lot of trouble (to do something):
He’d gone to a lot of trouble to make the evening go perfectly.
go to the trouble of doing something:
Why go to the trouble of washing them by hand?
save someone the trouble of doing something:
I’ll do your shopping to save you the trouble of going out.
save yourself trouble:
You’ll save yourself a lot of trouble if you choose carefully.
be more trouble than someone/something is worth:
Growing roses is more trouble than it is worth.
take trouble over/with something:
She takes a considerable amount of trouble over her appearance.
Synonyms and related words
General problems and difficulties
problem
difficulty
trouble
4
uncountable an unpleasant, difficult, or dangerous situation
be in trouble:
I knew we were in trouble when the elevator stopped.
The company is in trouble primarily because of poor management.
run into trouble:
The airplane ran into serious trouble soon after takeoff.
get into trouble:
The horse got into trouble at the first hurdle.
Synonyms and related words
Difficult situations and experiences
crisis
battle
nightmare
Synonyms and related words
Dangerous or exciting situations
danger
crisis
emergency
5
uncountable a situation for which you are likely to be blamed, criticized, or punished
be in trouble (with someone):
I hear she’s in trouble with the police again.
be in serious/big/deep trouble:
If he hears about this, you’ll be in big trouble.
get into trouble (for doing something):
I got into trouble for being late.
get someone into trouble:
If you break it, you’ll get us all into trouble.
stay/keep out of trouble:
He’s managed to stay out of trouble since coming out of jail.
Synonyms and related words
Difficult situations and experiences
crisis
battle
nightmare
6
countable/uncountable fighting, violence, or bad behavior
There’s been a lot of trouble in the neighborhood recently.
trouble starts:
The trouble started when he accused someone of stealing his bicycle.
make/cause trouble:
Peter used to make a lot of trouble at school.
trouble flares/erupts:
Trouble flared in the area after a youth was arrested.
crowd trouble:
There was crowd trouble at the last game.
Synonyms and related words
Morally bad or wrong behavior
evil
sin
wrong
Synonyms and related words
Situations involving fighting and violence
aggression
conflict
brutality

phrases

asking for trouble

get someone into trouble

looking for trouble

no trouble

trouble is brewing (for)

trouble

verb transitive

UK /ˈtrʌb(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	trouble
he/she/it	troubles
present participle	troubling
past tense	troubled
past participle	troubled

1
to make someone worried
What’s wrong? Is something troubling you?
it troubles someone that:
It troubles me that I haven’t heard from her recently.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone worried or nervous
worry
concern
tear apart
2
spoken formalto cause someone a slight problem or difficulty by asking them to do something for you
I’m sorry you’ve been troubled – it won’t happen again.
trouble yourself:
‘I’ll call her if you like.’ ‘No, don’t trouble yourself.’
Synonyms and related words
To cause problems for someone or something
let down
hold back
embarrass
1. 2a
  spoken formalused for making a polite request
  I’m sorry to trouble you, but can I borrow a pen?
  trouble someone for something:
  Could I trouble you for a lift home?
  trouble someone to do something:
  Could I trouble you to pass the butter?
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of asking questions and making requests
  after you
  any chance of...?
  any luck?
3
usually progressiveif a part of your body is troubling you, it is not working as it should and is causing you pain
His right shoulder is troubling him.
Synonyms and related words
To feel or cause physical pain and suffering
suffer
hurt
ache

phrases

trouble to do something

trouble

verb transitive

US /ˈtrʌb(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	trouble
he/she/it	troubles
present participle	troubling
past tense	troubled
past participle	troubled

1
to make someone worried
What’s wrong? Is something troubling you?
it troubles someone that:
It troubles me that I haven’t heard from her recently.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone worried or nervous
worry
concern
tear apart
2
spoken formalto cause someone a slight problem or difficulty by asking them to do something for you
I’m sorry you’ve been troubled – it won’t happen again.
trouble yourself:
“I’ll call her if you like.” “No, don’t trouble yourself.”
Synonyms and related words
To cause problems for someone or something
let down
hold back
embarrass
1. 2a
  spoken formalused for making a polite request
  I’m sorry to trouble you, but can I borrow a pen?
  trouble someone for something:
  Could I trouble you for a ride home?
  trouble someone to do something:
  Could I trouble you to pass the butter?
  Synonyms and related words
  Ways of asking questions and making requests
  any chance of...?
  any luck?
  any requests?
3
usually progressiveif a part of your body is troubling you, it is not working as it should and is causing you pain
His right shoulder is troubling him.
Synonyms and related words
To feel or cause physical pain and suffering
suffer
hurt
ache

phrases

trouble to do something

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trouble

trouble

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trouble