difficult term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult term" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a word or phrase that is hard to understand or requires specialized knowledge. Example: "The professor introduced a difficult term that left many students confused during the lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Her students listen, occasionally asking the meaning of a difficult term.

The Guardian

Trial or no trial, Mr Berlusconi seems set for a difficult term leading the EU.

The Guardian

But his inexperience in his first year in office, and the failures it caused, made it a pretty difficult term the rest of the way".

The New York Times

Cell type has been an increasingly difficult term to define given that clusters can almost always be split further or merged further.

Nature

It's a difficult term to translate, but probably best understood as a kind of studied carelessness in manner – an ease and grace in the courtier's conversation and behaviour that covers up the effort of projecting an agreeable persona.

The Guardian - Books

In discussions with senior administration officials, Ms. Quinn pointedly described a new political reality following the difficult term limits fight, which drew unusual attention and almost daily criticism of the Council.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I left under difficult terms in a difficult situation," Keenan said.

The New York Times - Sports

I. What is AI-generated Art? "Art" and "intelligence" are two notoriously difficult terms to define.

Harvard University

Even investment in the oil and gas industry has stagnated, with oil companies balking at difficult terms.

The New York Times

Each chapter has a quick summary at the beginning and explanatory boxes throughout the text, whenever difficult terms or concepts come up.

The New York Times - Books

It is well known that Mr Mozgovoi is on difficult terms with the Kremlin-annointed leader of the Luhansk republic, Igor Plotnitsky.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult term", ensure you provide sufficient context or definition for your audience to understand it. This is especially important in technical or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming your audience is familiar with the "difficult term". Always define it, even if you believe it should be common knowledge within your field.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult term" functions as a noun phrase, where "difficult" modifies the noun "term". It describes a specific quality of the term, indicating that it is not easily understood. As shown in Ludwig, it is often used to refer to terminology that requires further explanation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult term" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for identifying vocabulary that requires extra attention and explanation. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media contexts. When employing "difficult term", it's crucial to consider your audience's familiarity with the subject matter and provide sufficient context or definition to ensure clear communication. Common errors include overestimating audience knowledge and failing to define the term adequately. Alternatives such as "challenging concept" or "complex terminology" can be considered depending on the desired nuance. Overall, while "difficult term" is not an incredibly common phrase, it serves a valuable purpose in technical, academic, and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Challenging concept

Replaces "difficult" with a synonym focusing on the stimulating nature of difficulty.

Complex terminology

Emphasizes the intricacy and detailed nature of the terms involved.

Obscure expression

Highlights the lack of clarity or common understanding of the term.

Intricate wording

Focuses on the elaborateness and potentially confusing structure of the term.

Hard-to-grasp notion

Highlights the difficulty in comprehending the idea or concept.

Demanding phrase

Suggests that the term requires significant effort to understand.

Convoluted definition

Focuses on the twisted or complicated explanation of the term.

Problematic wording

Indicates that the term may cause confusion or disagreement.

Elusive concept

Implies the concept is hard to catch or define precisely.

Arcane term

Suggests the term is known only to a few and is mysterious or secret.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult term" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult term" to refer to a word or phrase that is hard to understand or requires specialized knowledge. For example, "The professor introduced a "difficult term" that left many students confused during the lecture".

What are some alternatives to "difficult term"?

Alternatives include "challenging concept", "complex terminology", or "obscure expression", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I define a "difficult term" in my writing?

Always define a "difficult term" the first time you use it, especially if your audience may not be familiar with the subject matter. This ensures clarity and prevents misunderstanding.

What makes a term "difficult"?

A term can be "difficult" due to its technical nature, abstract meaning, lack of common usage, or the complexity of the concept it represents. Providing context and examples can help clarify such terms.