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

Explanation

If something's dichotomous, it's divided into two distinct parts. It can describe a plant whose leaves pair off in opposing buds or anything — a government, a relationship — that has two divisions that are sharply opposed. The relationship between science and mysticism, or astrology and astronomy, for example, are two examples of a dichotomous relationship: each side has a completely irreconcilable set of basic principles. You might say the same about a father and son who support different baseball teams. Not surprisingly, the word dichotomous comes from the ancient Greek word dikhotomia, meaning "a cutting in half." So be warned and make sure your children grow up supporting the same team as you.

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

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

From Salon • Jul. 28, 2022

“People are perceiving the pandemic in a dichotomous view,” he said, adding, “Some feel it’s over and we are there. Others feel we must remain vigilant forever. The reality is in between the two poles.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 16, 2022

Thallus dichotomous, proliferous, the early divisions linear-oblong, the margins ascending and remotely sinuate, the later divisions linear-palmatifid, coarsely nerved; cells large, hexagonal; involucre ciliate-fringed or lacerate; calyptra smooth, included.—Wet limestones and shales.

From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Gray, Asa