What does dichotomise mean?
Dichotomise is a formal verb meaning to divide something into two mutually exclusive or sharply opposed parts. When writers dichotomise a subject — whether human nature, political positions, or cultural practices — they sort it into a binary such as good versus evil or rational versus irrational. The word is most at home in academic and intellectual discourse: philosophers, sociologists, and literary critics frequently use it, often disapprovingly, to call attention to the simplifying effect of binary thinking. It derives from the Greek dichotomia ("a cutting in two"), combining dicho- ("in two") and temnein ("to cut"), the same root that gives us "dichotomy" and "dichotomous." British English spells it with -ise while American English favours -ize. Related forms include the noun "dichotomisation" and the participles "dichotomised" and "dichotomising." Because it names a habit of thought rather than a physical act, it is especially useful for critiquing arguments that flatten nuance into opposites.
verbTo divide something into two sharply contrasting parts, categories, or groups. Often used to describe a way of thinking or analysing that splits a complex subject into a binary opposition.
- To divide or classify something into two mutually exclusive or contradictory groups.
- To view or interpret a subject in terms of a binary opposition.
"The essay dichotomises human behaviour into rational and irrational impulses."
"Critics argue that the film needlessly dichotomises its characters into heroes and villains."
"Early anthropologists tended to dichotomise cultures as either 'primitive' or 'civilised'."
Every time you say "either/or," you're doing what this word names — chopping a messy world into just two boxes.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of dichotomise
Dichotomise comes from the Greek noun dichotomia, meaning "a cutting in two," formed from dicha ("in two, apart") and temnein ("to cut"). The related noun "dichotomy" entered English in the early 17th century, initially in logic and botany, and the verb was formed from it later. Cognates sharing the Greek cutting root include "anatomy" and "atom." In American English the word is normally spelled "dichotomize."
Related word forms
How dichotomise is actually used
Formal and largely academic in register; common in scholarly writing on sociology, philosophy, and literary criticism. The British spelling with -ise predominates in UK publications; US usage typically prefers "dichotomize." The word often carries a mild critical connotation, implying that a binary split oversimplifies a more complex reality.
Easily confused with dichotomise
"Dichotomy" is the noun denoting the division or contrast itself, whereas "dichotomise" is the verb meaning the act of making such a division.