What is hurdle? Pronunciation and usage in English

hurdle means . Learn how to pronounce and use hurdle through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of hurdle

hurdlenoun

/ˈhɜːdl//ˈhɜːrdl/
Definition & pronunciation of hurdle

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "hurdle." It's a tricky one because it has a slightly unusual sound. Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "hur" – This part is fairly straightforward. It sounds like "hurt" but with a slightly shorter "u" and a softer "r." Think of it as rhyming with "curt."

  • "dle" – This is where it gets tricky. It doesn't sound like "dle" as in "fiddle." Instead, it's pronounced like "dull." It's a single syllable.

2. Putting it Together:

The entire word is pronounced roughly as: "HUR-dull"

Here's a breakdown with some tips:

  • Emphasis: The first syllable ("hur") is the stressed syllable. You want to say it a little louder and longer.
  • "r" sound: Make the "r" in "hur" a bit softer than a hard "r" (like in "red").
  • "dull" sound: Focus on the "dull" sound for the second syllable. It’s closer to the "d" in "dog" than the "d" in "date."

Resources for Hearing it:

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Usage and examples with the word hurdle in English

Let's break down how to use the word "hurdle" in English. It has a few distinct meanings, so understanding the context is key. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Literal Meaning: A Physical Obstacle

  • Definition: This is the original meaning. A hurdle is a bar set at a height in a horse race or jumping competition.
  • Example: "The horse cleared the first hurdle with ease." "The athlete struggled to jump the high hurdle."

2. Figurative Meaning: A Challenge or Obstacle

This is where "hurdle" is most commonly used today. It refers to something that impedes progress or success.

  • Definition: A difficulty that needs to be overcome. It's not necessarily a huge, insurmountable obstacle, but something that requires effort and strategy to deal with.
  • Example Sentences:
    • "Funding is a major hurdle for the project." (Meaning: a significant difficulty in getting money)
    • “Lack of experience was a hurdle they had to overcome.” (Meaning: a difficulty because of a lack of knowledge)
    • “The language barrier presented a hurdle to communication.” (Meaning: a difficulty due to the language being a problem)
    • "Getting a job after graduating is often a big hurdle." (Meaning: a significant difficulty in finding employment)
    • "She had to hurdle her own self-doubt to pursue her dreams." (Meaning: she had to overcome her own insecurities.)

3. As a Verb: To Overcome a Difficulty

  • Definition: To overcome or deal with a challenge.
  • Example Sentences:
    • “He managed to hurdle the bureaucratic process.” (Meaning: he successfully navigated the complicated procedures.)
    • “She’s working hard to hurdle the challenges of raising a family while pursuing her career.” (Meaning: she’s actively dealing with the difficulties.)

Key Phrases & Usage Tips:

  • “To hurdle over…”: This usually implies conquering a specific problem. "They had to hurdle over the legal restrictions."
  • “To overcome a hurdle”: This is a common and straightforward way to express working through a difficulty. "It's important to overcome the hurdle of initial investment."
  • “A hurdle to…”: Used to describe something that’s a difficulty. "Progress on the project is a hurdle to achieving our goals.”

Synonyms:

Here are some words that can be used similarly to "hurdle," depending on the context:

  • Obstacle
  • Difficulty
  • Challenge
  • Barrier
  • Impediment
  • Block

To help me give you more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., a formal essay, a casual email, a story?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you want to use “hurdle”?

Synonyms for the word hurdle

Practice with vocabulary hurdle

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. One significant _____ for the new product launch was obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals.
  2. The management team must address the communication _____ within the department to improve efficiency.
  3. Despite facing numerous _____, the research team persevered and published their findings.
  4. Setting clear performance _____ helps employees understand expectations and track their progress.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following best describes a significant difficulty or obstacle that needs to be overcome? a) an advantage b) a solution c) a hurdle d) an opportunity

  2. Successfully navigating a complex legal process to secure a patent can be considered a: a) a prerequisite b) an accomplishment c) a hurdle d) an obstacle

  3. To improve team collaboration, we must identify and remove any existing _____ that hinder progress. a) incentives b) prerequisites c) bottlenecks d) hurdles

  4. When confronted with a difficult choice between two equally undesirable options, one might describe the situation as a: a) a dilemma b) an opportunity c) a breakthrough d) an incentive

  5. Before submitting the final report, ensure all formatting _____ have been met. a) requirements b) improvements c) suggestions d) predictions

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The primary challenge for many startups is securing sufficient initial investment. (Rewrite using "hurdle")
  2. We need to find a way to get past the technical difficulties if we want to meet the deadline. (Rewrite using "hurdle" or a related word form)
  3. The main problem preventing project completion was the unexpected software bug. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, NOT "hurdle")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. hurdle
  2. hurdle
  3. challenges / obstacles
  4. targets / goals

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) a hurdle
  2. c) a hurdle, d) an obstacle
  3. c) bottlenecks, d) hurdles
  4. a) a dilemma
  5. a) requirements

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Securing sufficient initial investment is often a significant hurdle for many startups.
  2. To meet the deadline, we must clear the technical hurdles.
  3. The primary impediment to project completion was the unexpected software bug.

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