issue

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A subject or matter that people discuss, disagree about or must deal with.

   Grammar: Countable: an important issue, several issues.

   Patterns

   • an issue with something
   • the issue of something
   • raise an issue

   Climate change is a major issue for voters.

   We have an issue with the printer again.

   She raised the issue at the staff meeting.

2. 2nouncountable

   One edition of a magazine, newspaper or journal published at a particular time.

   Grammar: Often with a month or number: the March issue.

   Patterns

   • the latest issue of something

   I read about the festival in the June issue.

   The latest issue of the journal features new research.

   He collects first issues of old comics.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To officially give out, announce or publish something.

   Grammar: Takes an object: issue a statement, issue passports.

   Patterns

   • issue something to someone
   • issue someone with something

   The government issued a warning about the storm.

   The bank issues a new card every three years.

   Each guard was issued a radio.

4. 4verbintransitiveformalliterary

   To come out or flow from a place.

   Grammar: Usually followed by from: smoke issued from the chimney.

   Patterns

   • issue from something

   Smoke issued from the old chimney.

   A low sound issued from the cave.

5. 5noununcountableformallegal

   A person's children, in legal or formal wording.

   Grammar: Used in wills and family law: die without issue.

   Patterns

   • die without issue

   The king died without issue.

   The estate passes to his issue.

Word forms

Common combinations

raise an issue

I would like to raise an issue about parking.

address the issue

The mayor promised to address the issue.

issue a statement

The company issued a statement this morning.

back issue

She found a back issue of the magazine online.

take issue with

I take issue with that claim.

Synonyms and how they differ

problem

Problem is more direct and negative, while issue sounds softer and can be a neutral topic.

matter

Matter is general and often refers to a subject of business or concern.

edition

Edition covers a whole print run, while issue is one regular publication in a series.

release

Release suggests making something available to the public, with less official feeling than issue.

Word family

issuance noun

the act of officially giving out something

issuer noun

a person or body that issues something

reissue verb

to publish or give out again

issueless adjective

without children or without a point at issue

Commonly confused: issue or tissue?

Practice

Make it your own

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

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