NYT Dictionary
DILEMMA
/dɑeˈlemə/Noundi-LEM-madi-lem-ma · 3 syllablesGrade 9
Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2023
Meaning
A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
PIE word *dwóh₁ First attested 1523, from Late Latin dilemma, from Ancient Greek δίλημμα (dílēmma, “ambiguous proposition”), from δι- (di-, “having two of”) + λῆμμα (lêmma, “premise, proposition”), equivalent to di- + lemma.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle: