issue
gb/ˈɪʃu/ us/ˈɪʃu/
B1
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
a problem or topic of concern
Something people talk about or try to solve because it is important or causes problems.
Usage pattern:
an issue with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'issue' with 'edition' when talking about magazines.
Synonyms
problem (More general; 'issue' can be more formal or neutral.)
|
matter (Focuses on the subject itself, not necessarily a difficulty.)
Antonyms
solution (The answer or fix to a problem.)
Collocations
address an issue
|raise an issue
|serious issue
|legal issue
|health issue
Themes
daily life
|business
|politics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The main issue is how to reduce costs without cutting jobs.
- Environmental issues are becoming more important every year.
- We need to address the issue of staff turnover.
Learner examples
- This is a big issue for our team.
- We talked about the issue in class.
- She has an issue with the new plan.
Noun
B1
entity
2
a single release of a publication
One copy in a series of newspapers, magazines, etc., that is printed at the same time.
Usage pattern:
the latest issue of [publication]
Synonyms
edition (Often interchangeable, but 'edition' can also mean a specific version of a book.)
Collocations
current issue
|special issue
|back issue
Themes
media
|publishing
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The July issue of the magazine features an interview with the author.
- I found the back issues in the library archive.
- This special issue focuses on climate change.
Learner examples
- I bought the new issue of the magazine.
- This is the March issue.
- He keeps all the old issues.
Verb
B2
action
3
to officially give or release something
To give something official to someone, like a passport or a warning.
Usage pattern:
to issue [something] to [someone]
Synonyms
distribute (More general; not always official.)
|
release (Often used for making information public.)
Antonyms
withhold (To not give something that could be given.)
Collocations
issue a statement
|issue a warning
|issue a ticket
Themes
business
|law
|communication
Examples
- The police issued a statement about the accident.
- The company will issue new ID cards next month.
- The government issued an official warning to travelers.
Learner examples
- The school will issue new books.
- The police issued a ticket to the driver.
- They issued passports to the workers.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
4
a person's children or descendants
Someone's children or family members who come after them.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'problem' and use it incorrectly in everyday conversation; it's mostly legal/formal.
Synonyms
offspring ('Offspring' is more biological and less formal.)
Themes
family
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He died without leaving any issue.
- The property will pass to her issue according to the will.
- They had no surviving issue.
Learner examples
- He had no issue when he died.
- She left her property to her issue.
- They have three issue from their marriage.
Grammar
Dictionary form
issue
IPA
GB/ˈɪʃu/
US/ˈɪʃu/
Syllables & stress
is - sue (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (is)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: issue
- Plural: issue, issues
Verb
- Base: issue
- 3rd Person Singular: issues
- Present Participle: issuing
- Past: issued
Word family
Expressions
at issue
1/ˈæt ˈɪʃu/
fixed phrase
formal
being discussed or argued about
Being the thing people are talking about or arguing over.
Examples
- The main point at issue is whether the law should be changed.
- What is at issue here is fairness.
make an issue of
1/mˈeɪk ən ˈɪʃu əv/
idiom
to treat something as a big problem when it is not necessary
To act like something is more important or bad than it really is.
Examples
- Don't make an issue of it—just apologize and move on.
- He made an issue of her being late again.
take issue with
1/tˈeɪk ˈɪʃu wˈɪθ/
idiom
to strongly disagree with something
To say you do not agree with something or someone.
Examples
- I must take issue with your last point.
- She took issue with how the report was written.
issue a statement
1/ˈɪʃu ə stˈeɪtmənt/
fixed phrase
to officially make information public
To say or write something official for people to know.
Examples
- The government issued a statement on the new policy.
- The minister issued a statement denying the rumors.
- The company issued a statement denying the allegations.
- The company issued a statement after the accident.