dichotomy
/daɪˈkɒt.ə.mi/
Group 9Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- A division or contrast between two things that are presented as opposites GRE
Example in Context
The dichotomy between the country's staggering wealth and its persistent poverty remains its most defining and troubling feature.
Synonyms
splitdivisioncontrast
Etymology
Means a division or cut into two parts.
- dicho (Greek) — in two
- tomia (Greek) — cut
Memory Aid
✂️Sounds like “die cut me”
If you ask me to DIE CUT ME in half, that’s a DICHOTOMY I DO NOT want!
Visual Association
⚖️A split road with one side sunny and the other dark and stormy, highlighting stark contrasts.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “dichotomy” mean on the GRE?
dichotomy (noun) means “A division or contrast between two things that are presented as opposites”. The dichotomy between the country's staggering wealth and its persistent poverty remains its most defining and troubling feature.
How to remember “dichotomy” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “dichotomy” sounds like “die cut me”. If you ask me to DIE CUT ME in half, that’s a DICHOTOMY I DO NOT want!
What are synonyms for “dichotomy”?
Common synonyms: split, division, contrast.