dilemma

[dih-lem-uh]

noun

1. a situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives.

2. any difficult or perplexing situation or problem.

   Synonyms: difficulty, question

3. 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.”

dilemma

/ dɪˈlɛmə, ˌdɪlɪˈmætɪk, daɪ-, ˌdaɪlɪ- /

noun

1. a situation necessitating a choice between two equal, esp equally undesirable, alternatives

2. a problem that seems incapable of a solution

3. 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 if p then q and if r then s; either p or r so either q or s

4. 1. faced with the choice between two equally unpalatable alternatives

   2. in an awkward situation

Usage

The use of dilemma to refer to a problem that seems incapable of a solution is considered by some people to be incorrect

Other Word Forms

• dilemmatic adjective
• dilemmatical adjective
• dilemmic adjective
• dilemmatically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilemma¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Late Latin, from Greek dílēmma, equivalent to di- “two, twice” ( di- ¹ ) + lêmma “an assumption, premise,” derivative of lambánein “to take”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dilemma¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, from _di- ¹ + lēmma assumption, proposition, from lambanein to take, grasp

Idioms and Phrases

see horns of a dilemma.

Synonym Study

See predicament.

Example Sentences

A recent study from Swinburne University sets out to address this dilemma.

Read more on Science Daily

"I'm not allowed to fly and I felt like I had a real dilemma of protecting my baby over being with my mum - which is a horrible, horrible battle to have in your own head."

Read more on BBC

The entire series, written by the clever Ben Elton, extrapolated what little is known about the Bard into an ingenious series of perfectly plausible comic dilemmas, and an occasional unexpected dramatic one.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A similar dilemma faces today’s AI players: they believe they can’t wait for AI’s business potential to be proven before investing.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Your jewelry dilemma is also relevant for those who intend to buy gold coins, art or any other collectibles.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• difficulty 
• embarrassment 
• impasse 
• mess 
• plight 
• predicament 
• problem 
• puzzle 
• quandary