🇫🇷French Source WordCode: FR

obstacle

Pronunciation / Transliteration: ɔbstakl

🇬🇧 Direct English Meaning:
Hold-back/ˈhoʊld.bæk/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #8500 frequency
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🇫🇷 Example Sentence in French:

"Le manque de financement a été un grand obstacle pour le projet."

Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A hindrance, restriction, or obstacle that prevents progress or development.

    "A lack of funding was the main hold-back for the new startup project."
  2. 2

    A mental reservation, hesitation, or reluctance to act or express oneself fully.

    "She spoke with absolute honesty and no hold-back regarding her concerns."

Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum

Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

Derived from the phrasal verb 'hold back', originating from Middle English roots combining Old English 'healdan' (to keep, guard) and Old Norse 'bakR' (back). The noun form emerged in the 19th century to denote an obstacle, reservation, or restraint that impedes progress.

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