Definition of trouble

< troubadour

troublemaker >

trou·ble    (trbl) KEY 

NOUN:

1. A state of distress, affliction, difficulty, or need: tried to console them in their trouble; got in trouble with the police.
2. A distressing or difficult circumstance or situation: I've had troubles ever since I took this job.
3. A cause or source of distress, disturbance, or difficulty: The new recruits were a trouble to him.
4. Effort, especially when inconvenient or bothersome: went to a lot of trouble to find this book.
5. A condition of pain, disease, or malfunction: heart trouble; car trouble.
6. 1. Public unrest or disorder.
   2. An instance of this; a disturbance.
   3. Troubles Any of various conflicts or rebellions in Ireland or Northern Ireland, especially the period of social unrest in Northern Ireland beginning in 1969.

VERB:
trou·bled, trou·bling, trou·bles
VERB:
tr.

1. To agitate; stir up.
2. To afflict with pain or discomfort.
3. To cause emotional strain or anxiety to; worry or distress.
4. To inconvenience; bother: May I trouble you for directions?

VERB:
intr.

To take pains: They trouble over every detail.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from troubler, to trouble, from Vulgar Latin *turbulre, alteration (influenced by Latin turbula, small group, diminutive of turba, crowd), of Late Latin turbidre from Latin turbidus, confused ; see turbid

OTHER FORMS:
troubler(Noun), troubling·ly(Adverb)

SYNONYMS:
trouble, ail, distress, worry

These verbs mean to cause anxious uneasiness in: His behavior troubles his parents. What problems are ailing you? The bad news distressed us. Her high fever worries the doctor.