dilemma (dɪˈlɛmə
;daɪ-)
Definitions
noun
- a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives
- a problem that seems incapable of a solution
- logic a form of argument one of whose premises is the conjunction of two conditional statements and the other of which affirms the disjunction of their antecedents, and whose conclusion is the disjunction of their consequents. Its form is a form of argument one of whose premises is the conjunction of two conditional statements and the other of which affirms the disjunction of their antecedents, and whose conclusion is the disjunction of their consequents. Its form is if p then q and if r then s; either p or r so either q or s
- See on the horns of a dilemma
Alternative Forms
dilemmatic (ˌdɪlɪˈmætɪk;ˌdaɪlɪ-) dilˈemmic adjective Word Origin
C16: via Latin from Greek, from di-C16: via Latin from Greek, from 1 + assumption, proposition, from to take, grasp + lēmma assumption, proposition, from lambanein to take, graspSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
predicament,
problem,
difficulty,
spot,
fix,
mess,
puzzle,
jam,
embarrassment,
plight,
strait,
pickle,
how-do-you-do
quandary,
perplexity,
tight corner or spot
Translations
- British English:
dilemma
A dilemma is a difficult situation in which you have to choose between two or more alternatives.His dilemma is whether or not to return to his home country.dɪˈlɛmə; daɪ- NOUN His dilemma is whether or not to return to his home country.
- Spanish:
dilema
nm
- French:
dilemme
nm
- German:
Dilemma
nnt Dilemmas
- Chinese: 窘境 n
- Arabic: وَرْطَة n
- Portuguese: dilema nm
- Russian: дилемма nf
- Croatian: dilema nf
- Czech: dilema nnt
- Danish: dilemma nnt
- Dutch: dilemma nnt
- Finnish: pulmatilanne n
- Greek: δίλημμα nnt
- Italian: dilemma nm
- Japanese: ジレンマ n
- Korean: 딜레마 n
- Norwegian: dilemma nnt
- Polish: dylemat nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: dilema nm
- European Spanish:
dilema
nm
- Swedish: dilemma nnt
- Thai: สภาวะลำบาก n
- Turkish: ikilem n
- Vietnamese: tình thế khó xử n
Usage examples
He thanked Kitty and Jefferson for taking such an interest in what Jefferson called his dilemma.
, The Black Opal (1993)Behind the disagreement lies a difficult conservation dilemma , however.
New Scientist (2003)Lyle, on six-under and with his shoes digging into the sand on the final hole, had a dilemma.
Irish Times (2002)You are invited to offer your own solutions to each week's dilemma , or to suggest new subjects for discussion.
Glasgow Herald (2002)It was a dilemma which was not to have a solution for another twelve years.
, ELSPETH HUXLEY: A BIOGRAPHY (2002)