The difference between Hurdle and Obstacle

When used as nouns, hurdle means an artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race, whereas obstacle means something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress.


Hurdle is also verb with the meaning: to jump over something while running.

check bellow for the other definitions of Hurdle and Obstacle

  1. Hurdle as a noun:

    An artificial barrier, variously constructed, over which athletes or horses jump in a race.

    Examples:

    "He ran in the 100 metres hurdles."

  2. Hurdle as a noun:

    A perceived obstacle.

  3. Hurdle as a noun:

    A movable frame of wattled twigs, osiers, or withes and stakes, or sometimes of iron, used for enclosing land, for folding sheep and cattle, for gates, etc.; also, in fortification, used as revetments, and for other purposes.

  4. Hurdle as a noun (UK, obsolete):

    A sled or crate on which criminals were formerly drawn to the place of execution.

  5. Hurdle as a noun (T-flapping):

  1. Hurdle as a verb:

    To jump over something while running.

    Examples:

    "He hurdled the bench in his rush to get away."

  2. Hurdle as a verb:

    To compete in the track and field events of hurdles (e.g. high hurdles).

  3. Hurdle as a verb:

    To overcome an obstacle.

  4. Hurdle as a verb:

    To hedge, cover, make, or enclose with hurdles.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Milton"

  1. Hurdle as a noun (T-flapping):

  1. Hurdle as a verb (T-flapping):

  1. Obstacle as a noun:

    Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress

    Examples:

    "A big obstacle to understanding the manual was that it had been poorly translated from the Japanese."

Compare words: