dichotomous

American  

[dih-kot-uh-muhs] / dɪˈkɒt ə məs /

adjective

1. divided or dividing into two parts.

2. of or relating to dichotomy.

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Other Word Forms

• dichotomously adverb
• dichotomousness noun
• nondichotomous adjective
• nondichotomously adverb
• undichotomous adjective
• undichotomously adverb

Etymology

Origin of dichotomous

1680–90; < Late Latin dichotomos < Greek dichótomos. See dicho-, -tome, -ous

Example Sentences

Our recommendations support the use of probabilities instead of dichotomous “p-values” and the inclusion of findings from related studies to evaluate safety and effectiveness—an invaluable advancement for rare-disease research.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

Stepping in for Mena, Dudamel, who assumes his Philharmonic post in 2026, led, in his only subscription concert appearances this season, a dichotomous program of dazzling crowd-pleasers and a thorny modernist work with utmost finesse.

From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2024

She calls on us to find an island between the dichotomous “sides” of this conflict.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 2, 2024

"Stress-boosted dichotomous thinking may thus well be a fundamental driver of belief rigidity," the authors wrote.

From Salon • Jul. 28, 2022

P. cup-shaped, downy, white; g. dichotomous, broad, dingy yellow, edge obtuse.

From European Fungus Flora: Agaricaceae by Massee, George