Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [dih-lem-uh]
- /dɪˈlɛm ə/
- /daɪˈlem.ə/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [dih-lem-uh]
- /dɪˈlɛm ə/
Definitions of dilemma word
- noun dilemma a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives. 2
- noun dilemma any difficult or perplexing situation or problem. 2
- noun dilemma Logic. a form of syllogism in which the major premise is formed of two or more hypothetical propositions and the minor premise is a disjunctive proposition, as “If A, then B; if C then D. Either A or C. Therefore, either B or D.”. 2
- noun dilemma The word dilemma combines di-, a prefix meaning "two," with lemma, meaning "a proposition, theme, or subject." Our world is filled with propositions, themes, and subjects—matters about which we have to make a variety of decisions as we move through life. If we are forced to make a choice between two courses of action, or between doing something and not doing it, and if neither choice is a good one, we are in a dilemma in its primary sense—faced with a double bind, caught between Scylla and Charybdis, trapped between a rock and a hard place, and truly on the horns of a dilemma. As we can see, the sense of dilemma that deals exclusively with two unpleasant alternatives is powerful enough to have engendered a good deal of descriptive language over the years. But in today’s complex environment, if people tell you they are in a dilemma, you cannot be sure that their problem is restricted to two choices. They may be facing a situation of much greater complexity. While the first meaning is still the most common, the broadening of dilemma to include this more general sense of "any difficult or perplexing situation or problem," is an example of normal language growth. The first meaning of dilemma, involving two choices, remains alive and well. But this broader meaning is not only common and acceptable, it is found in multiple examples of educated writing. 2
- noun dilemma A situation in which a difficult choice has to be made between two or more alternatives, esp. equally undesirable ones. 2
- noun dilemma difficult choice 2
Information block about the term
Origin of dilemma
First appearance:
before 1515 One of the 27% oldest English words
1515-25; < Late Latin < Greek dílēmma, equivalent to di- di-1 + lêmma an assumption, premise, derivative of lambánein to take
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Dilemma
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
dilemma popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 90% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
dilemma usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for dilemma
noun dilemma
- predicament — an unpleasantly difficult, perplexing, or dangerous situation.
- impasse — a position or situation from which there is no escape; deadlock.
- mess — a dirty, untidy, or disordered condition: The room was in a mess.
- puzzle — a toy, problem, or other contrivance designed to amuse by presenting difficulties to be solved by ingenuity or patient effort.
- quandary — a state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially as to what to do; dilemma.
Antonyms for dilemma
noun dilemma
- advantage — An advantage is something that puts you in a better position than other people.
- success — the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals.
- boon — You can describe something as a boon when it makes life better or easier for someone.
- miracle — an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.
- solution — the act of solving a problem, question, etc.: The situation is approaching solution.
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See also
Matching words
- Words starting with d
- Words starting with di
- Words starting with dil
- Words starting with dile
- Words starting with dilem
- Words starting with dilemm
- Words starting with dilemma