dichotomy

noun

di·​chot·​o·​my dī-ˈkä-tə-mē 

 also  də-

plural dichotomies

1

: a division into two especially mutually exclusive or contradictory groups or entities

the dichotomy between theory and practice

also : the process or practice of making such a division

dichotomy of the population into two opposed classes

2

: something with seemingly contradictory qualities

it's a dichotomy, this opulent Ritz-style luxury in a place that fronts on a boat harbor

—Jean T. Barrett

3

: the phase of the moon or an inferior planet in which half its disk appears illuminated

4

a

: bifurcation

especially : repeated bifurcation (as of a plant's stem)

b

: a system of branching in which the main axis forks repeatedly into two branches

c

: branching of an ancestral line into two equal diverging branches

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Dichotomy and False Dichotomy

The two most commonly used senses of dichotomy are easily (and often) confused. The older one refers to the division of something into two groups that often are mutually exclusive or contradictory (as in “the dichotomy between good and evil”). Like trichotomy (meaning “division into three parts”), this sense denotes separation into different elements, but it adds the connotation of oppositeness. The newer sense of dichotomy denotes a thing that appears to have contradictory qualities, such as a lemonade stand found in a war zone. Dichotomy is frequently found in the company of the word false; a false dichotomy is a kind of fallacy in which one is given only two choices when in fact other options are available.

Synonyms

• contradiction
• incongruity
• paradox

Examples of dichotomy in a Sentence

The amusing spectacle of the recent presidential vote in Florida should remind us of the persistence of the federal-state dichotomy. —Eugene Genovese, Atlantic, March 2001

At the close of this millennium, the favored dichotomy features a supposed battle called "the science wars." —Stephen Jay Gould, Science, 14 Jan. 2000

… to insist on its being either symbol or fact is to dwell needlessly on a false dichotomy. —Simon Schama, The Embarrassment of Riches, 1988

… the Inuit concept of their environment was centred around the dichotomy between land and sea. —Ian Hodder, Reading the Past, 1986

Her essay discusses the dichotomy between good and evil in the author's novels.

her outfit is a sartorial dichotomy: an elegant gown and ratty old tennis shoes

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Recent Examples on the Web

So how do Bravo reality stars make sense of this dichotomy? —Krystie Lee Yandoli, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2023

But there’s the dichotomy in that in all the other metrics, you’re being discounted. —Lauren Dukoff, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2023

The anecdote stems from a dynamic prevalent not just in hip-hop but across art forms: the supposedly rigid dichotomy between the alternative and the mainstream. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2023

The film captures dichotomies that were central to the band and their endless internal and external conflicts. —Daniel Dylan Wray, Pitchfork, 11 Oct. 2023

The dichotomy of his corporate reach and downtown appeal makes Chavarria a singular force in the fashion industry. —Devan Díaz, Los Angeles Times, 12 Sep. 2023

The dichotomy between political leaders and tech leaders was highlighted by a surprising world leader voice during an event hosted by Elon Musk in San Francisco before the U.N. summit. —Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023

But the dichotomy of generative AI — of possibility and risk — is everywhere. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Sep. 2023

Biggest poverty increase in over half a century The latest Census data underscores the dichotomy of the post-pandemic economy, which has been marked by a strong job market yet also rising inflation that's hobbled many households. —Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 12 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin dichotomia, borrowed from Greek dichotomía "division into two parts (of the moon, in logic), bisection," from dichótomos "cut in half, dichotomous" + -ia -ia entry 1

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

dichotomy

noun

di·​chot·​o·​my -mē 

plural dichotomies

: a division into or distinction between two groups that differ greatly

the dichotomy between good and evil

Medical Definition

dichotomy

noun

di·​chot·​o·​my

dī-ˈkät-ə-mē also də-

plural dichotomies

: a division or forking into branches

especially : repeated bifurcation