dilemma

/daɪˈlɛmə/

//daɪˈlɛmə// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"dilemma" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“dilemma” has 8 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #10,678. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#10,678
frequency rank, English
26,416
“D” headwords
8
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.

Key facts for dilemma
PropertyValue
Headworddilemma
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/daɪˈlɛmə/
Letters7
Frequency rank#10,678
Misspellings tracked8
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “dilemma” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). dilemma lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 8 spelling variants around dilemma (IPA /daɪˈlɛmə/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #10,678 among 26,416 “D” headwords. Wiktionary lists 4 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 8 likely wrong-spelling variants for dilemma, with forms such as "ddilemma", "dielmma", and "dilema". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. Our dataset records no confusable match here, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: 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”). The correct English form is dilemma, spelled D-I-L-E-M-M-A.

Definition

  1. 1
    A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
  2. 2
    Any difficult circumstance or problem.
  3. 3
    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. 4
    Offering to an opponent a choice between two (equally unfavorable) alternatives.

Etymology

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”).

Synonyms

Catch-22dilemmaHobson's choiceMorton's forkno-win situationquandarySophie's choice

This word in other languages

dilema(Español)dilemme(Français)Dilemma(Deutsch)dilema(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • ddilemma
  • dielmma
  • dilema
  • dilemam
  • dillemma
  • dilmema
  • dliemma
  • idlemma

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of dilemma - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

ddilemma1dielmma2dilema1dilemam2dillemma1dilmema2dliemma2idlemma2
Edit distance from "dilemma"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "dilemma"?
"dilemma" is spelled D-I-L-E-M-M-A. The IPA pronunciation is /daɪˈlɛmə/.
What does "dilemma" mean?
As a noun, "dilemma" means: A circumstance in which a choice must be made between two or more alternatives that seem equally undesirable.
What are common misspellings of "dilemma"?
Common misspellings include "ddilemma", "dielmma", "dilema", "dilemam", "dillemma". The correct spelling is "dilemma".
How do you pronounce "dilemma"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "dilemma" is /daɪˈlɛmə/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "dilemma"?
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”). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “dilemma”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is D-I-L-E-M-M-A - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /daɪˈlɛmə/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list