dichotomous

adjective

di·​chot·​o·​mous dī-ˈkä-tə-məs How to pronounce dichotomous (audio)
 also  də-
1
: dividing into two parts
2
: relating to, involving, or proceeding from dichotomy
the plant's dichotomous branching
a dichotomous approach
can't be split into dichotomous categories
dichotomously adverb
dichotomousness noun

Examples of dichotomous in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web That dichotomous talent has opened dozens of doors for him, but Chalamet always comes across as warm and alive. EW.com, 18 Feb. 2024 Bartos responded to the film’s dichotomous nature, creating a soundtrack that elevates both aspects. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 9 Feb. 2024 Operating from opposite coasts, the dynamic duo started their dichotomous roles at Jay-Z’s entertainment powerhouse in 2019. Payton Kirol, Fortune, 21 Jan. 2024 What scholars like Anzaldúa and Morales explore is the complex dichotomous split placed under patriarchy that the Spaniards furthered. Sarah Quiñones Wolfson, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2023 This fall, Hadestown – which won eight Tony Awards in 2019 – found a fresh face for Persephone, the dichotomous Greek goddess of spring and queen of the underworld, in singer-songwriter Betty Who. Joe Lynch, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2023 In that context, McElroy’s case has engendered a predictably dichotomous response. Jack Stripling, Washington Post, 14 July 2023 Sinema included photos of herself, one in a Barbie-pink dress and the other a black-and-white image of her serious expression, to mimic the movies’ dichotomous styles. USA TODAY, 20 July 2023 That mistake is the cognitive error known as black-and-white thinking, also called dichotomous and all-or-none thinking. Jeremy P. Shapiro, The Conversation, 2 May 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dichotomous.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin dichotomos, borrowed from Greek dichótomos "cut in half, divided equally," from dicho- dicho- + -tomos, adjective derivative from the base of témnein "to cut" — more at tome

First Known Use

1752, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dichotomous was in 1752

Dictionary Entries Near dichotomous

Cite this Entry

“Dichotomous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dichotomous. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dichotomous

adjective
di·​chot·​o·​mous dī-ˈkät-ə-məs How to pronounce dichotomous (audio)
1
: dividing into two parts or groups
2
: relating to, involving, or resulting from dichotomy

Medical Definition

dichotomous

adjective
di·​chot·​o·​mous
dī-ˈkät-ə-məs also də-
: dividing into two parts
dichotomous branching
dichotomously adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on dichotomous

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