Difficult vs. Hard — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 13, 2023
"Difficult" implies something that requires effort to solve or overcome. "Hard" can mean physically solid or also be a synonym for "difficult."
Difference Between Difficult and Hard
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Difficult" pertains to something that requires a lot of effort or skill to do or understand. "Hard," while synonymous in some contexts, can also describe a physical state of being solid and firm. Both words have nuances that slightly differentiate them.
"Difficult" might pertain to tasks or situations that necessitate substantial cognitive or physical effort to navigate. "Hard" is often employed when the task or subject at hand demands significant effort or endurance, whether mental or physical. Their overlap is primarily seen in contexts describing challenging scenarios or tasks.
"Difficult" is commonly used when describing complex tasks or problems that demand particular skills or deep thought to solve. "Hard," on the other hand, is more generally used and can denote both a physical property and the complexity or challenge presented by a situation or task. While their semantic fields intersect, their applicability varies.
"Difficult" also brings a connotation of being hard to deal with or manage, often implying a level of complexity. "Hard" can also signify something that is tough to endure or experience, possibly involving physical or emotional strain. Their shared usage area is wide, yet the shades of meaning differ.
In an emotional context, "difficult" tends to describe a situation or person that is hard to navigate or manage. "Hard" may describe emotional experiences that are tough to bear or get through. Each word offers a slightly different shade of meaning, despite their synonymous use in numerous situations.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Definition
Needing much effort or skill
Firm or resistant; needing effort
Physical Properties
Not commonly used
Commonly used (e.g., hard rock)
Emotional Context
Less commonly used
Commonly used (e.g., hard times)
In reference to people
Commonly used (e.g., difficult boss)
Less commonly used
Adaptability to situations
More adaptable to various contexts
Specific contexts (hard can be literal)
Compare with Definitions
Difficult
Not easy to understand or analyze.
It's a difficult text to interpret.
Hard
Done with a great deal of force.
He hit the ball hard.
Difficult
Challenging to undertake or resolve.
The puzzle was particularly difficult.
Hard
Difficult to endure or undergo.
These are hard times for many people.
Difficult
Demanding a lot of effort or attention.
The difficult task required hours of focus.
Hard
Solid, firm, and rigid; not easily broken, bent, or pierced
The slate broke on the hard floor
Rub the varnish down when it's hard
Difficult
Not easy to please or satisfy.
She is known to be a difficult customer.
Hard
Done with a great deal of force or strength
A hard whack
Difficult
Requiring considerable effort or skill; not easy to do or accomplish
"To entertain is far more difficult than to enlighten" (Anthony Burgess).
Hard
Requiring a great deal of endurance or effort
Airship-flying was pretty hard work
She found it hard to believe that he could be involved
It's hard for drummers these days
Difficult
Not easy to endure; full of hardship or trouble; trying
Fell upon difficult times.
Hard
(of information) reliable, especially because based on something true or substantiated
Hard facts about the underclass are maddeningly elusive
Difficult
Not easy to comprehend, solve, or explain
A difficult puzzle.
Hard
Strongly alcoholic; denoting a spirit rather than beer or wine.
Difficult
Not easy to please, satisfy, or manage
A difficult child.
Hard
(of water) containing relatively high concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts, which make lathering difficult
Hard water requires much more soap, shampoo, or detergent than soft water
Difficult
Not easy to persuade or convince; stubborn.
Hard
(of the penis, clitoris, or nipples) erect.
Difficult
Hard, not easy, requiring much effort.
However, the difficult weather conditions will ensure Yunnan has plenty of freshwater. File:However, the difficult weather conditions will ensure Yunnan has plenty of freshwater.ogg
Hard
(of a consonant) pronounced as a velar plosive (as c in cat, g in go).
Difficult
Hard to manage, uncooperative, troublesome.
Stop being difficult and eat your broccoli—you know it's good for you.
Hard
With a great deal of effort
They work hard at school
Difficult
(obsolete) Unable or unwilling.
Hard
So as to be solid or firm
The mortar has set hard
Difficult
To make difficult; to impede; to perplex.
Hard
To the fullest extent possible
Put the wheel hard over to starboard
Difficult
Hard to do or to make; beset with difficulty; attended with labor, trouble, or pains; not easy; arduous.
There is not the strength or courage left me to venture into the wide, strange, and difficult world, alone.
Hard
A road leading down across a foreshore.
Difficult
Hard to manage or to please; not easily wrought upon; austere; stubborn; as, a difficult person.
Hard
Resistant to pressure; not readily penetrated; firm or solid
A hard material.
Difficult
To render difficult; to impede; to perplex.
Hard
Well protected from an attack, as by aerial bombardment
Bunkers and other hard targets.
Difficult
Not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure;
A difficult task
Nesting places on the cliffs are difficult of access
Difficult times
A difficult child
Found himself in a difficult situation
Why is it so hard for you to keep a secret?
Hard
Requiring great effort or endurance
A hard assignment.
Difficult
Requiring much effort and trouble;
The mountain climb was long, steep, and difficult
Hard
Performed with or marked by great diligence or energy
A project that required years of hard work.
Difficult
Complicated and not easy to manage.
The project is in a difficult phase now.
Hard
Difficult to resolve, accomplish, or finish
That was a hard question.
Hard
Difficult to understand or impart
Physics was the hardest of my courses. Thermodynamics is a hard course to teach.
Hard
Proceeding or performing with force, vigor, or persistence; assiduous
A hard worker.
Hard
Intense in force or degree
A hard blow.
Hard
Inclement or severe
A long, hard winter.
Hard
Stern, strict, or demanding
A hard taskmaster.
Hard
Lacking compassion or sympathy; callous
Became hard after years in prison.
Hard
Difficult to endure; causing hardship or suffering
A hard life.
Hard
Oppressive or unjust in nature or effect
Restrictions that were hard on welfare applicants.
Hard
Harsh or severe in effect or intention
I said some hard things that I regret.
Hard
Marked by stubborn refusal to compromise or yield; uncompromising
Drives a hard bargain.
Hard
Bitter or resentful
Hard feelings caused by the insult.
Hard
Showing disapproval, bitterness, or resentment
Gave me a hard look.
Hard
Causing damage or premature wear
Snow and ice are hard on a car's finish.
Hard
Bad; adverse
Hard luck.
Hard
Real and unassailable
Hard evidence.
Hard
Definite; firm
A hard commitment.
Hard
Free from illusion or sentimentality; practical or realistic
We need to take a hard look at the situation.
Hard
Using or based on data that are readily quantified or verified
The hard sciences.
Hard
Marked by sharp delineation or contrast
A hard line separating the two lists.
Hard
Lacking in shade; undiminished
The hard light of the midday sun.
Hard
Hardcore.
Hard
Being a turn in a specific direction at an angle more acute than other possible routes.
Hard
Metallic, as opposed to paper. Used of currency.
Hard
Backed by bullion rather than by credit. Used of currency.
Hard
High and stable. Used of prices.
Hard
Durable; lasting
Hard merchandise.
Hard
Written or printed rather than stored in electronic media
Sent the information by hard mail.
Hard
Erect; tumid. Used of a penis.
Hard
Having high alcoholic content; intoxicating
Hard liquor.
Hard
Rendered alcoholic by fermentation; fermented
Hard cider.
Hard
Containing dissolved salts that interfere with the lathering action of soap or other cleansing agents. Used of water.
Hard
(Linguistics) Velar, as in c in cake or g in log, as opposed to palatal or soft.
Hard
(Physics) Of relatively high energy; penetrating
Hard x-rays.
Hard
High in gluten content
Hard wheat.
Hard
(Chemistry) Resistant to biodegradation
A hard detergent.
Hard
Extremely or dangerously addictive. Used of certain illegal drugs, such as heroin.
Hard
With strenuous effort; intently
Worked hard all day.
Stared hard at the accused criminal.
Hard
With great force, vigor, or energy
Pressed hard on the lever.
Hard
In such a way as to cause great damage or hardship
Industrial cities hit hard by unemployment.
Hard
With great distress, grief, or bitterness
Took the divorce hard.
Hard
Firmly; securely
Held hard to the railing.
Hard
Toward or into a solid condition
Concrete that sets hard within a day.
Hard
Near in space or time; close
The factory stands hard by the railroad tracks.
Hard
(Nautical) Completely; fully
Hard alee.
Hard
(of material or fluid) Having a severe property; presenting difficulty.
Hard
Resistant to pressure.
This bread is so stale and hard, I can barely cut it.
Hard
(of drink or drugs) Strong.
Hard
(of a normally nonalcoholic drink) Containing alcohol.
Hard cider, hard lemonade, hard seltzer, hard soda
Hard
(of water) High in dissolved chemical salts, especially those of calcium.
Hard
Having the capability of being a permanent magnet by being a material with high magnetic coercivity (compare soft).
Hard
Having a high energy (high frequency; short wavelength).
Hard X-rays
Hard
Made up of parallel rays, producing clearly defined shadows.
Hard
(personal or social) Having a severe property; presenting difficulty.
Hard
Difficult or requiring a lot of effort to do, understand, experience, or deal with.
A hard problem;
A hard question;
A hard topic
Hard
Demanding a lot of effort to endure.
A hard life
Hard
Severe, harsh, unfriendly, brutal.
A hard master;
A hard heart;
Hard words;
A hard character
The senator asked the party chief to put the hard word on his potential rivals.
Hard
(dated) Difficult to resist or control; powerful.
Hard
(military) Hardened; having unusually strong defences.
A hard site
Hard
(slang) Tough and muscular.
He thinks he's well hard.
Hard
Unquestionable, unequivocal.
Hard evidence;
A hard requirement
Hard
(of a road intersection) Having a comparatively larger or a ninety-degree angle.
At the intersection, there are two roads going to the left. Take the hard left.
Hard
Sexually aroused; having an erect penis.
I got so hard watching two hot girls wrestle each other on the beach.
Hard
(bodybuilding) Having muscles that are tightened as a result of intense, regular exercise.
Hard
Fortis.
Hard
Plosive.
There is a hard c in "clock" and a soft c in "centre".
Hard
Unvoiced.
Hard k, t, s, ch, as distinguished from soft, g, d, z, j.
Hard
(Slavic phonology) Velarized or plain, rather than palatalized.
Hard
(arts) Having a severe property; presenting a barrier to enjoyment.
Hard
Rigid in the drawing or distribution of the figures; formal; lacking grace of composition.
Hard
Having disagreeable and abrupt contrasts in colour or shading.
Hard
(uncomparable)
Hard
In a physical form, not digital.
A soft or hard copy; a digital or hard archive
Hard
Using a manual or physical process, not by means of a software command.
A hard reboot or reset
Hard
(politics) Far, extreme.
Hard right, hard left
Hard
Of silk: not having had the natural gum boiled off.
Hard
(finance) Of a market: having more demand than supply; being a seller's market.
Hard
(manner) With much force or effort.
He hit the puck hard up the ice.
They worked hard all week.
At the intersection, bear hard left.
The recession hit them especially hard.
Think hard about your choices.
The couple were fucking each other hard.
Hard
(manner) With difficulty.
His degree was hard earned.
Hard
(obsolete) So as to raise difficulties.
Hard
(manner) Compactly.
The lake had finally frozen hard.
Hard
Near, close.
Hard
A firm or paved beach or slope convenient for hauling vessels out of the water.
Hard
A tyre whose compound is softer than superhards, and harder than mediums.
Hard
Crack cocaine.
Hard
Hard labor.
The prisoners were sentenced to three years' hard.
Hard
Not easily penetrated, cut, or separated into parts; not yielding to pressure; firm; solid; compact; - applied to material bodies, and opposed to soft; as, hard wood; hard flesh; a hard apple.
Hard
Difficult, mentally or judicially; not easily apprehended, decided, or resolved; as a hard problem.
The hard causes they brought unto Moses.
In which are some things hard to be understood.
Hard
Difficult to accomplish; full of obstacles; laborious; fatiguing; arduous; as, a hard task; a disease hard to cure.
Hard
Difficult to resist or control; powerful.
The stag was too hard for the horse.
A power which will be always too hard for them.
Hard
Difficult to bear or endure; not easy to put up with or consent to; hence, severe; rigorous; oppressive; distressing; unjust; grasping; as, a hard lot; hard times; hard fare; a hard winter; hard conditions or terms.
I never could drive a hard bargain.
Hard
Difficult to please or influence; stern; unyielding; obdurate; unsympathetic; unfeeling; cruel; as, a hard master; a hard heart; hard words; a hard character.
Hard
Not easy or agreeable to the taste; harsh; stiff; rigid; ungraceful; repelling; as, a hard style.
Figures harder than even the marble itself.
Hard
Rough; acid; sour, as liquors; as, hard cider.
Hard
Abrupt or explosive in utterance; not aspirated, sibilated, or pronounced with a gradual change of the organs from one position to another; - said of certain consonants, as c in came, and g in go, as distinguished from the same letters in center, general, etc.
Hard
Wanting softness or smoothness of utterance; harsh; as, a hard tone.
Hard
Rigid in the drawing or distribution of the figures; formal; lacking grace of composition.
Hard
With pressure; with urgency; hence, diligently; earnestly.
And prayed so hard for mercy from the prince.
My fatherIs hard at study; pray now, rest yourself.
Hard
With difficulty; as, the vehicle moves hard.
Hard
Uneasily; vexatiously; slowly.
Hard
So as to raise difficulties.
Hard
With tension or strain of the powers; violently; with force; tempestuously; vehemently; vigorously; energetically; as, to press, to blow, to rain hard; hence, rapidly; nimbly; as, to run hard.
Hard
Close or near.
Whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
Hard
To harden; to make hard.
Hard
A ford or passage across a river or swamp.
Hard
Not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure;
A difficult task
Nesting places on the cliffs are difficult of access
Difficult times
A difficult child
Found himself in a difficult situation
Why is it so hard for you to keep a secret?
Hard
Metaphorically hard;
A hard fate
Took a hard look
A hard bargainer
A hard climb
Hard
Not yielding to pressure or easily penetrated;
Hard as rock
Hard
Very strong or vigorous;
Strong winds
A hard left to the chin
A knockout punch
A severe blow
Hard
Characterized by toilsome effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort;
Worked their arduous way up the mining valley
A grueling campaign
Hard labor
Heavy work
Heavy going
Spent many laborious hours on the project
Set a punishing pace
Hard
Of speech sounds
Hard
Of a drinker or drinking; indulging intemperately;
Does a lot of hard drinking
A heavy drinker
Hard
Having undergone fermentation;
Hard cider
Hard
Having a high alcoholic content;
Hard liquor
Hard
Unfortunate or hard to bear;
Had hard luck
A tough break
Hard
Dried out;
Hard dry rolls left over from the day before
Hard
With effort or force or vigor;
The team played hard
Worked hard all day
Pressed hard on the lever
Hit the ball hard
Slammed the door hard
Hard
With firmness;
Held hard to the railing
Hard
Earnestly or intently;
Thought hard about it
Stared hard at the accused
Hard
Causing great damage or hardship;
Industries hit hard by the depression
She was severely affected by the bank's failure
Hard
Slowly and with difficulty;
Prejudices die hard
Hard
Indulging excessively;
He drank heavily
Hard
Into a solid condition;
Concrete that sets hard within a few hours
Hard
Very near or close in space or time;
It stands hard by the railroad tracks
They were hard on his heels
A strike followed hard upon the plant's opening
Hard
With pain or distress or bitterness;
He took the rejection very hard
Hard
To the full extent possible; all the way;
Hard alee
The ship went hard astern
Swung the wheel hard left
Hard
Solid, firm, and resistant to pressure.
The surface was hard and unyielding.
Hard
Requiring a great deal of endurance or effort.
The exam was extremely hard.
Hard
In a firm manner; tightly.
Hold on hard to the railing.
Common Curiosities
Is "hard" always related to physical properties?
No, "hard" can describe physical firmness and challenging situations.
Is "hard" usable in emotional contexts?
Yes, like in "hard times."
Can "difficult" pertain to people?
Yes, describing them as hard to deal with.
How is "difficult" used in a problem-solving context?
To indicate a challenging problem to solve or understand.
How is "difficult" used to describe situations?
Indicating a challenging or troubling situation.
Can "difficult" and "hard" be used interchangeably?
Often, but not always due to different connotations.
Does "difficult" apply to skill-requiring tasks?
Yes, indicating a high skill or effort requirement.
How does "difficult" relate to management?
It can describe a challenging management situation.
Can "hard" describe an intense effort?
Yes, like working hard on a task.
Can "hard" relate to emotional states?
Yes, like a choice being hard to make.
Can “hard” define durability?
Yes, like a hard, durable material.
Can "difficult" describe a physical state?
Typically, no. "Difficult" usually describes complexity or challenge.
Is "hard" used to describe complex tasks?
Yes, synonymous with "difficult" in this context.
Can "difficult" imply a complicated nature?
Yes, often used to describe complex situations or tasks.
Is “hard” always negative?
No, it might simply describe firmness or intensity.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
