hurdle

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablefigurative

   A problem or difficulty that you must solve or get past in order to succeed.

   Grammar: Countable: one hurdle, two hurdles. Often used with verbs like 'overcome', 'clear', or 'face'.

   Patterns

   • overcome a hurdle
   • clear a hurdle
   • face a hurdle
   • a hurdle to something

   The biggest hurdle was finding enough money to start the business.

   She cleared every hurdle in her path and finally got the job.

   Language can be a hurdle for newcomers, but most get past it quickly.

2. 2nouncountablesport

   A frame or barrier that runners jump over in a race.

   Grammar: Countable: one hurdle, two hurdles. Used in track and field events.

   Patterns

   • jump over a hurdle
   • clear a hurdle
   • the 100-meter hurdles

   He tripped over the first hurdle and lost the race.

   The hurdles are set at different heights for men and women.

   She trains every morning to improve her speed over the hurdles.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To jump over something, especially a barrier or fence, while running.

   Grammar: Takes an object: hurdle the fence. Also used in sports: hurdle the barrier.

   Patterns

   • hurdle something
   • hurdle over something

   The horse hurdled the low fence easily.

   He hurdled the puddle and kept running.

   She hurdled over the box without slowing down.

Word forms

Common combinations

overcome a hurdle

With hard work, they overcame every hurdle and finished the project on time.

clear a hurdle

The new law cleared a major hurdle when it passed the committee.

face a hurdle

Students often face a hurdle when they have to write their first long essay.

the first hurdle

Getting an interview is just the first hurdle; the rest is up to you.

a hurdle to something

Cost is a big hurdle to expanding the program.

Synonyms and how they differ

obstacle

Obstacle is a more general word for anything that blocks progress; hurdle often suggests a challenge you can jump over with effort.

barrier

Barrier suggests something that stops you completely; hurdle is something you can get past.

difficulty

Difficulty is a general word for a hard situation; hurdle is more specific and often used in a series of challenges.

Word family

hurdler noun

A person who runs in hurdle races.

hurdling noun

The sport of racing over hurdles.

Commonly confused: hurdle or huddle? hurdle or hurtle?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “hurdle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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