dichotomous
AmericanOther Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing dichotomous
List 9
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List 14
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
In the paper, the authors argued that stress amplifies dichotomous thinking — essentially a black and white worldview.
From Salon ● Jul. 24, 2024
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
“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
This colouring is more marked on the convex side, and it shows itself first in the cell on which the dichotomous branches are first produced, and which retains the darker tint longer than the other.
From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
