obstacle
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
A physical object, situation, or condition that blocks or hinders progress or movement.
Any difficulty, problem, or challenge that prevents someone from achieving something or making progress, whether physical, mental, social, or procedural.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies something that must be overcome, removed, or circumvented to proceed. Can be concrete or abstract. Frequently used in contexts of achievement, competition, or process completion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. 'Obstacle course' is more commonly used than 'obstacle race' in both varieties, but both exist.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in business/self-help contexts (e.g., 'overcome obstacles').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be + an obstacle to + NP/gerundpose/present + an obstacleovercome/remove + an obstacleencounter/face + an obstacleVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hurdle to overcome”
- “stumbling block”
- “roadblock”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to challenges in projects, negotiations, or market entry (e.g., 'regulatory obstacles').
Academic
Used for theoretical or methodological challenges in research.
Everyday
Common for discussing life problems, travel issues, or personal goals.
Technical
In engineering/design: a physical object blocking a path. In computing: a bug or limitation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- No standard verb form exists. Use 'obstruct' or 'hinder'.
American English
- No standard verb form exists. Use 'block' or 'impede'.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form. Use phrases like 'in an obstructive manner'.
- He moved obstacle-by-obstacle through the course.
American English
- No adverb form. Use 'hinderingly' (rare) or descriptive phrases.
- She progressed, overcoming each obstacle methodically.
adjective
British English
- No direct adjective. Use 'obstructive' or related terms like 'problematic'.
- The obstacle-ridden path was difficult to navigate.
American English
- No direct adjective. Use 'hindering' or 'challenging'.
- The obstacle-laden course tested the runners.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The big rock was an obstacle in the road.
- Lack of money is an obstacle for many students.
- The main obstacle to our holiday was getting time off work.
- They built an obstacle course in the garden for the dog.
- Bureaucratic red tape presented a significant obstacle to finalising the contract.
- Overcoming the linguistic obstacle was crucial for her integration.
- The inherent paradox in the theory constituted a major epistemological obstacle for the research team.
- Negotiating the political obstacles required considerable diplomatic finesse.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an OBSTACLE as an OBSTINATE object in your ACLE (pathway) that you must clear.
Conceptual Metaphor
JOURNEY/ROAD (Life is a journey; problems are obstacles on the road)
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'препятствие' for minor inconveniences—'obstacle' is stronger.
- Don't confuse with 'problem'—an obstacle specifically blocks progress.
- In sports, 'obstacle course' is 'полоса препятствий', not 'курс препятствий'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'obstacle' as a verb (incorrect: 'It obstacles me'; correct: 'It is an obstacle for me').
- Misspelling as 'obsticle'.
- Confusing 'obstacle' with 'objection' in argument contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which word is NOT typically a synonym for 'obstacle'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'obstacle' is solely a noun. The verb forms are 'obstruct', 'hinder', 'impede', or 'block'.
An 'obstacle' specifically blocks progress toward a goal. A 'problem' is any general difficulty or troublesome situation, not necessarily tied to forward movement.
Inherently negative as it denotes a blockage, but it often appears in neutral or motivational contexts ('overcome obstacles'), implying challenge and potential growth.
A training or competition route with various physical challenges (walls, ropes, mud pits) designed to test speed, strength, and endurance.