dichotomy

American  

[dahy-kot-uh-mee] / daɪˈkɒt ə mi /

noun

plural

dichotomies

1. division into two parts, kinds, etc.; subdivision into halves or pairs.

2. division into two mutually exclusive, opposed, or contradictory groups.

   a dichotomy between thought and action.

3. Botany. a mode of branching by constant forking, as in some stems, in veins of leaves, etc.

4. Astronomy. the phase of the moon or of an inferior planet when half of its disk is visible.

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dichotomy British  

/ ˌdaɪkəʊˈtɒmɪk, daɪˈkɒtəmɪ /

noun

1. division into two parts or classifications, esp when they are sharply distinguished or opposed

   the dichotomy between eastern and western cultures

2. logic the division of a class into two mutually exclusive subclasses

   the dichotomy of married and single people

3. botany a simple method of branching by repeated division into two equal parts

4. the phase of the moon, Venus, or Mercury when half of the disc is visible

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Usage

Dichotomy should always refer to a division of some kind into two groups. It is sometimes used to refer to a puzzling situation which seems to involve a contradiction, but this use is generally thought to be incorrect

Other Word Forms

• dichotomic adjective
• dichotomically adverb
• dichotomous adjective
• dichotomously adverb
• subdichotomy noun

Etymology

Origin of dichotomy

First recorded in 1580–90; from Late Latin dichotomia, from Greek dichotomía “dividing in two (of the quarters of the moon), point of a bisection, division into two parts”; dicho-, -tomy

Example Sentences

While that dichotomy can be confusing to some on TikTok, it fits together in Kempczinski’s effort to drive as much traffic as possible to restaurants.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

Resendez noted that his group’s research also shows a dichotomy in the emotional experience of caregiving — it’s hard, but at the same time fulfilling.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026

Stewart opted out of the burial/cremation dichotomy, saying she wanted to become compost.

From Salon • Dec. 9, 2025

Miller also pointed to the dichotomy of Porter’s terse reaction in the television interview to Porter championing herself in Congress as a fearless and aggressive inquisitor of CEOs and government leaders.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 11, 2025

As soon as you add an intensifier, you’re turning an all-or-none dichotomy into a graduated scale.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker

Related Words

• difference of opinion