Definitions for dilemma
dɪˈlɛm ədilem·ma

Princeton's WordNet(4.54 / 13 votes)Rate this definition:

1. dilemma, quandary(noun)

   state of uncertainty or perplexity especially as requiring a choice between equally unfavorable options

Wiktionary(1.50 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. dilemma(Noun)

   A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.

2. dilemma(Noun)

   (disputed) A difficult circumstance or problem.

3. dilemma(Noun)

   A type of syllogism of the form "if A is true then B is true; if C is true then D is true; either A or C is true; therefore either B or D is true".

4. dilemma(Noun)

   Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Dilemma(noun)

   an argument which presents an antagonist with two or more alternatives, but is equally conclusive against him, whichever alternative he chooses

   Etymology: [L. dilemma, Gr. ; di- = di`s- twice + to take. See Lemma.]

2. Dilemma(noun)

   a state of things in which evils or obstacles present themselves on every side, and it is difficult to determine what course to pursue; a vexatious alternative or predicament; a difficult choice or position

   Etymology: [L. dilemma, Gr. ; di- = di`s- twice + to take. See Lemma.]

Freebase(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Dilemma

   A dilemma is a problem offering two possibilities, neither of which is practically acceptable. One in this position has been traditionally described as "being on the horns of a dilemma", neither horn being comfortable. This is sometimes more colorfully described as "Finding oneself impaled upon the horns of a dilemma", referring to the sharp points of a bull's horns, equally uncomfortable. The dilemma is sometimes used as a rhetorical device, in the form "you must accept either A, or B"; here A and B would be propositions each leading to some further conclusion. Applied incorrectly, it constitutes a false dichotomy, a fallacy.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Dilemma

   di-lem′a, n. a form of argument in which the maintainer of a certain proposition is committed to accept one of two alternative propositions each of which contradicts his original contention: a position where each of two alternative courses (or of all the feasible courses) is eminently undesirable: a trying practical difficulty. The argument was called a 'horned syllogism,' and the victim compared to a man certain to be impaled on one or other of the horns of an infuriated bull, hence the Horns of a dilemma: the usual phrase Landed in a dilemma is, or suggests, a mixed metaphor.—adj. Dilemmat′ic. [L.,—Gr. dilēmma—di-, twice, double, lēmma, an assumption—lambanein, to take.]

British National Corpus

1. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'dilemma' in Nouns Frequency: #2434

Anagrams for dilemma »

1. midmeal

How to pronounce dilemma?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say dilemma in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of dilemma in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of dilemma in Pythagorean Numerology is: 3

Examples of dilemma in a Sentence

1. Michael Witt:

   My impression is that the tech companies are only now waking up to the fact that life in the future is going to be a lot less globalized, they are really on the horns of a dilemma.

2. The President:

   The dilemma is that if you're weak, if you're weak, which some people would like you to be, if you're really, really pathetically weak, the country's going to be overrun with millions of people, and if The President're strong, then The President don't have any heart. That's a tough dilemma. Perhaps I would rather be strong, but that's a tough dilemma.

3. Clyde Kluckhohn:

   Anthropology provides a scientific basis for dealing with the crucial dilemma of the world today how can peoples of different appearance, mutually unintelligible languages, and dissimilar ways of life get along peaceably together

4. Prof.Salam Al Shereida:

   The metaphysical imagination will challenge the dilemma.

5. Zhang Jihong:

   There is no doubt all the companies are facing a financing dilemma.

Images & Illustrations of dilemma

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