Problem vs. Issue: What's the Difference?

Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 5, 2023

A problem is a specific difficulty needing a solution; an issue is a topic or subject of debate or concern.

Key Differences

The terms "problem" and "issue" are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct nuances. A problem usually refers to a particular obstacle or challenge that requires a solution or remedy. In contrast, an issue pertains to a topic, matter, or concern that might be open to debate or discussion. In essence, problems demand solutions, while issues invite discourse.

When we refer to a "problem," we typically denote a situation that poses some form of hindrance or trouble. This situation is often seen as negative and something that needs rectification. An issue, on the other hand, doesn't necessarily have a negative connotation. It represents a subject or a point of contention that may require attention or examination, but not always an immediate solution.

For example, in mathematics or day-to-day life, we solve problems. These problems present a specific challenge that requires a definitive answer. On the flip side, political debates, magazines, or journals might address various issues, indicating topics of concern or interest, which may have multiple perspectives.

Furthermore, the term "problem" suggests a degree of urgency. It emphasizes the need for intervention or action. An issue, while it can be urgent, is more about subjects or areas that need consideration or deliberation. Therefore, while problems and issues both highlight areas of concern, their approach and implications differ significantly.

Comparison Chart

Definition

A specific difficulty or challenge

A subject or point of contention

Connotation

Typically negative

Can be neutral or negative

Resolution

Requires a solution or remedy

Invites discussion or consideration

Example Usage

In mathematics or troubleshooting

In debates, discussions, or magazines

Urgency

Often conveys a sense of urgency

May or may not be urgent

Problem and Issue Definitions

Problem

A problem implies a source of perplexity or difficulty.

The main problem was a lack of communication between teams.

Issue

An issue denotes a specific edition or publication of a periodical.

The latest issue of the magazine features a renowned artist.

Problem

A problem denotes a mathematical question seeking an answer.

The math teacher gave the class a challenging problem to solve.

Issue

A point or matter of discussion, debate, or dispute

What legal and moral issues should we consider?.

Problem

A problem represents a matter or situation causing trouble or harm.

The software problem caused data loss for several users.

Issue

A matter of public concern

Debated economic issues.

Problem

A question to be considered, solved, or answered

Math problems.

Issue

A misgiving, objection, or complaint

Had issues with the plan to change the curriculum.

Problem

A situation, matter, or person that is hard to deal with or understand

Was having problems breathing.

Considered the main problem to be his boss. See Usage Note at dilemma.

Issue

A problem or difficulty.

Problem

A personal matter that causes one difficulty or needs to be dealt with

Felt her tyrannical boss had deep-seated problems.

Issue

A personal problem

Is convinced that her boss has issues.

Problem

A misgiving, objection, or complaint

I have a problem with his cynicism.

Issue

The act of circulating, distributing, or publishing by a business, government, or organization

Government issue of new bonds.

Problem

Difficult to deal with or control

A problem child.

Issue

An item or set of items, as stamps or coins, made available at one time by a business, government, or organization.

Problem

Dealing with a moral or social problem

A problem play.

Issue

A single copy of a periodical

The May issue of the magazine.

Problem

A difficulty that has to be resolved or dealt with.

She's leaving because she faced numerous problems to do with racism.

Issue

A distinct set of copies of an edition of a book distinguished from others of that edition by variations in the printed matter.

Problem

A question to be answered, schoolwork exercise.

Study hard, but don't overdo it. The problems in the exam won't be difficult to solve.

Issue

Proceeds from estates or fines.

Problem

A puzzling circumstance.

Issue

Something proceeding from a specified source

Suspicions that were the issue of a deranged mind.

Problem

Objection.

You got a problem with that?

Issue

A culminating point leading to a decision

Bring a case to an issue.

Problem

Difficulty in accepting or understanding or refusal to accept or understand.

You made your best honest effort; if they judge you harshly, that’s their problem, not yours.

Issue

A final result or conclusion, as a solution to a problem.

Problem

(climbing) A set of moves required to complete a climb.

Issue

The act or an instance of flowing, passing, or giving out

Where the lake gives issue to its waters.

Problem

(of a person or an animal) Difficult to train or guide; unruly.

Issue

A place of egress; an outlet

A lake with no issue to the sea.

Problem

Causing a problem; problematic; troublesome.

Issue

A discharge, as of blood or pus.

Problem

A question proposed for solution; a matter stated for examination or proof; hence, a matter difficult of solution or settlement; a doubtful case; a question involving doubt.

Issue

A lesion, wound, or ulcer producing such a discharge.

Problem

Anything which is required to be done; as, in geometry, to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular; or, in algebra, to find an unknown quantity.

Issue

Offspring; progeny

Died without issue.

Problem

A state of difficulty that needs to be resolved;

She and her husband are having problems

It is always a job to contact him

Urban problems such as traffic congestion and smog

Issue

To flow, go, or come out

Water issuing from a spring.

Voices issuing from a room.

Problem

A source of difficulty;

One trouble after another delayed the job

What's the problem?

Issue

To proceed from a source; emerge or come forth

Ideas issuing from a discussion. ].

Problem

A question raised for consideration or solution;

Our homework consisted of ten problems to solve

Issue

The action or an instance of flowing or coming out, an outflow, particularly:

Problem

A problem is an unwelcome situation that needs to be tackled.

The leakage in the roof is becoming a major problem.

Issue

A movement of soldiers towards an enemy, a sortie.

Problem

A problem indicates something posing a barrier to a goal.

The team faced a problem when their funding was cut.

Issue

The outflow of a bodily fluid, particularly in abnormal amounts.

The technique minimizes the issue of blood from the incision.

Issue

Someone or something that flows out or comes out, particularly:

Issue

The bodily fluid drained through a natural or artificial issue.

Issue

Offspring: one's natural child or children.

He died lawyered up.

Issue

Progeny: all one's lineal descendants.

Although his own kingdom disappeared, his issue went on to rule a quarter of Europe.

Issue

A race of people considered as the descendants of some common ancestor.

Issue

The produce or income derived from farmland or rental properties.

3. A conveys to B all right to the real property aforementioned for a term of _____ years, with all said real property's attendant issues, rents, and profits.

Issue

Income derived from fines levied by a court or law-enforcement officer; the fines themselves.

Issue

The entrails of a slaughtered animal.

Issue

Any action or deed performed by a person.

Issue

Luck considered as the favor or disfavor of nature, the gods, or God.

Issue

A single edition of a newspaper or other periodical publication.

Yeah, I just got the June issue of Wombatboy.

Issue

The entire set of some item printed and disseminated during a certain period, particularly a single printing of a particular edition of a work when contrasted with other print runs.

The May 1918 issue of US 24-cent stamps became famous when a printer's error inverted its depiction of an airmail plane.

Issue

The entire set of something; all of something.

The bloody sergeant snaffled our whole issue of booze, dammit.

Issue

(finance) Any financial instrument issued by a company.

The company's issues have included securities.

Issue

The loan of a book etc. from a library to a patron; all such loans by a given library during a given period.

Issue

The means or opportunity by which something flows or comes out, particularly:

Issue

A sewer.

Issue

The place where something flows or comes out, an outlet, particularly:

Issue

An exit from a room or building.

Issue

A confluence: the mouth of a river; the outlet of a lake or other body of water.

Issue

The action or an instance of sending something out, particularly:

The issue of the directive from the treasury prompted the central bank's most recent issue of currency.

Issue

A small incision, tear, or artificial ulcer, used to drain fluid and usually held open with a pea or other small object.

Issue

The production or distribution of something for general use.

Congress delegated the issue of US currency to the Federal Reserve in 1913.

Issue

The distribution of something (particularly rations or standardized provisions) to someone or some group.

The uniform was standard prison issue.

Issue

(finance) The action or an instance of a company selling bonds, stock, or other securities.

The company's stock issue diluted his ownership.

Issue

Any question or situation to be resolved, particularly:

Please stand by. We are having technical issues.

Issue

A point of law or fact in dispute or question in a legal action presented for resolution by the court.

The issue before the court is whether participation in a group blog makes the plaintiff a public figure under the relevant statute.

Issue

Anything in dispute, an area of disagreement whose resolution is being debated or decided.

For chrissakes, John, don't make an issue out of it. Just sleep on the floor if you want.

Issue

A dispute between two alternatives, a dilemma.

Issue

A psychological or emotional difficulty, any problem or concern considered as a vague and intractable difficulty.

She has daddy issues, mommy issues, drug issues, money issues, trust issues, printer issues... I'm just sayin', girl's got issues.

Issue

The action or an instance of concluding something, particularly:

Issue

The end of any action or process.

Issue

The end of any period of time.

Issue

The end result of an event or events, any result or outcome, particularly:

Issue

The result of a discussion or negotiation, an agreement.

Issue

The result of an investigation or consideration, a conclusion.

Issue

The action or an instance of feeling some emotion.

Issue

The action or an instance of leaving any state or condition.

Issue

To flow out, to proceed from, to come out or from.

The water issued forth from the spring.

The rents issuing from the land permitted him to live as a man of independent means.

Issue

To rush out, to sally forth.

The men issued from the town and attacked the besiegers.

Issue

To extend into, to open onto.

The road issues into the highway.

Issue

To turn out in a certain way, to result in.

Issue

(archaic) To end up as, to turn out being, to become as a result.

Issue

(legal) To come to a point in fact or law on which the parties join issue.

Issue

To send out; to put into circulation.

The Federal Reserve issues US dollars.

Issue

To deliver for use.

The prison issued new uniforms for the inmates.

Issue

To deliver by authority.

The court issued a writ of mandamus.

Issue

The act of passing or flowing out; a moving out from any inclosed place; egress; as, the issue of water from a pipe, of blood from a wound, of air from a bellows, of people from a house.

Issue

The act of sending out, or causing to go forth; delivery; issuance; as, the issue of an order from a commanding officer; the issue of money from a treasury.

Issue

That which passes, flows, or is sent out; the whole quantity sent forth or emitted at one time; as, an issue of bank notes; the daily issue of a newspaper.

Issue

Progeny; a child or children; offspring. In law, sometimes, in a general sense, all persons descended from a common ancestor; all lineal descendants.

If the kingShould without issue die.

Issue

Produce of the earth, or profits of land, tenements, or other property; as, A conveyed to B all his right for a term of years, with all the issues, rents, and profits.

Issue

A discharge of flux, as of blood.

Issue

An artificial ulcer, usually made in the fleshy part of the arm or leg, to produce the secretion and discharge of pus for the relief of some affected part.

Issue

The final outcome or result; upshot; conclusion; event; hence, contest; test; trial.

Come forth to viewThe issue of the exploit.

While it is hot, I 'll put it to the issue.

Issue

A point in debate or controversy on which the parties take affirmative and negative positions; a presentation of alternatives between which to choose or decide; a point of contention; a matter in controversy.

Issue

In pleading, a single material point of law or fact depending in the suit, which, being affirmed on the one side and denied on the other, is presented for determination. See General issue, under General, and Feigned issue, under Feigned.

As much at issue with the summer dayAs if you brought a candle out of doors.

Issue

To pass or flow out; to run out, as from any inclosed place.

From it issued forced drops of blood.

Issue

To go out; to rush out; to sally forth; as, troops issued from the town, and attacked the besiegers.

Issue

To proceed, as from a source; as, water issues from springs; light issues from the sun.

Issue

To proceed, as progeny; to be derived; to be descended; to spring.

Of thy sons that shall issue from thee.

Issue

To extend; to pass or open; as, the path issues into the highway.

Issue

To be produced as an effect or result; to grow or accrue; to arise; to proceed; as, rents and profits issuing from land, tenements, or a capital stock.

Issue

To close; to end; to terminate; to turn out; as, we know not how the cause will issue.

Issue

In pleading, to come to a point in fact or law, on which the parties join issue.

Issue

To send out; to put into circulation; as, to issue notes from a bank.

Issue

To deliver for use; as, to issue provisions.

Issue

To send out officially; to deliver by authority; as, to issue an order; to issue a writ.

Issue

An important question that is in dispute and must be settled;

The issue could be settled by requiring public education for everyone

Politicians never discuss the real issues

Issue

One of a series published periodically;

She found an old issue of the magazine in her dentist's waitingroom

Issue

The provision of something by issuing it (usually in quantity);

A new issue of stamps

The last issue of penicillin was over a month ago

Issue

Some situation or event that is thought about;

He kept drifting off the topic

He had been thinking about the subject for several years

It is a matter for the police

Issue

Supplies (as food or clothing or ammunition) issued by the government

Issue

The immediate descendants of a person;

She was the mother of many offspring

He died without issue

Issue

A phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon;

The magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise

His decision had depressing consequences for business

He acted very wise after the event

Issue

The income arising from land or other property;

The average return was about 5%

Issue

The becoming visible;

Not a day's difference between the emergence of the andrenas and the opening of the willow catkins

Issue

An opening that permits escape or release;

He blocked the way out

The canyon had only one issue

Issue

The act of issuing printed materials

Issue

Prepare and issue for public distribution or sale;

Publish a magazine or newspaper

Issue

Circulate or distribute or equip with;

Issue a new uniform to the children

Supply blankets for the beds

Issue

Bring out an official document (such as a warrant)

Issue

Come out of;

Water issued from the hole in the wall

The words seemed to come out by themselves

Issue

Make out and issue;

Write out a check

Cut a ticket

Please make the check out to me

Issue

An issue refers to an important topic or subject of debate.

Climate change is a pressing issue that requires global attention.

Issue

An issue implies a matter or point of disagreement or contention.

The issue of privacy rights has been debated for years.

Issue

An issue signifies a consequence or outcome of a specific action.

Pollution is a direct issue of industrial waste.

Issue

An issue points to a concern needing attention or consideration.

The company addressed the issue of workplace diversity in their latest meeting.

FAQs

Can every problem have a solution?

Not necessarily; while many problems have solutions, some may be unsolvable or require a compromise.

How is an issue typically presented?

An issue is presented as a topic or matter of debate or discussion.

Are all problems negative?

While problems generally indicate challenges, the resulting solutions or learnings can be positive.

Which term conveys more urgency?

"Problem" often conveys a greater sense of urgency than "issue."

Can problems be discussed?

Yes, discussing problems can lead to better understanding and potential solutions.

Can issues be positive?

Yes, issues can be neutral or even positive subjects of interest or attention.

Can an issue be subjective?

Yes, what one person views as an issue might not be the same for another.

What is a primary characteristic of a problem?

A problem represents a specific challenge or difficulty requiring a solution.

Can an issue lead to a problem?

Yes, unaddressed or unresolved issues can evolve into problems.

What's the main difference between a mathematical problem and issue?

A mathematical problem seeks a solution, while an issue represents a topic or matter of concern.

Are all issues debatable?

Not all, but many issues invite multiple perspectives or discussions.

Can one solution address multiple issues?

Yes, a single solution can sometimes address or resolve multiple related issues.

How can one differentiate between a problem and an issue in conversation?

Listen for the context: if it's about a specific challenge, it's likely a problem; if it's a topic of discussion, it's an issue.

Is it correct to use "problem" and "issue" interchangeably?

While they can sometimes be used interchangeably, it's best to use them as per their specific meanings to avoid confusion.

Is a problem always tangible?

No, problems can be tangible or intangible, like emotional or conceptual challenges.

Which is broader in scope, a problem or an issue?

An issue often has a broader scope, encompassing various aspects of a topic, whereas a problem is more specific.

Do all problems stem from issues?

No, problems can arise independently, but they can also stem from unresolved issues.

Do problems always arise from issues?

Not always, but unresolved or contentious issues can lead to problems.

Can addressing a problem also resolve an issue?

Sometimes, by addressing a problem, the larger issue it's a part of can also be resolved or mitigated.

Can one issue contain multiple problems?

Yes, a single issue can encompass or lead to multiple problems that need addressing.

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About Author

Written by

Janet White

Janet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.

Edited by

Aimie Carlson

Aimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.