What does predicament mean?
A predicament is a difficult situation in which the people involved face uncertainty, obstacles, or an apparent lack of good choices. It often suggests a problem that is complicated or difficult to resolve, rather than a single straightforward setback. The phrase “in a predicament” is especially common: a speaker may say that someone is “in a financial predicament” or “in a difficult predicament.” The word is formal in register but remains broadly understood in British and American English. Although it can still be used in the older sense of a state or condition, its dominant modern meaning concerns a troublesome situation. “Dilemma” and “quandary” are close alternatives, especially when a choice between difficult options is involved, while “plight” often emphasizes an unfortunate or distressing condition.
nounA difficult or troublesome situation in which someone is uncertain how to proceed. It can also refer more generally to a state or condition, especially in older usage.
- A difficult or troublesome situation, especially one in which a person does not know how to proceed.
- A state or condition of a person or thing, particularly in older or more formal usage.
"The sudden loss of her passport left her in a difficult predicament."
"The company found itself in a serious predicament after its main supplier withdrew."
"He was in the predicament of having to choose between family loyalty and professional integrity."
The regular plural is used when referring to different difficult situations.
"The novel explores several predicaments faced by a family in crisis."
A predicament is the kind of problem that can be described clearly but often seems impossible to escape.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does predicament come from?
Predicament entered English in the early 16th century from the Latin praedicamentum, originally meaning “a declaration” or “a state of being declared or condemned.” That form developed from praedicare, “to declare, announce, or assert.” Its meaning gradually developed from a person’s declared or established state to the more modern sense of a difficult situation. Related English words include predicate, predication, and predicable, while preach ultimately comes through Latin from the same verbal root.
How predicament is actually used
The word is formal but widely understood. It usually describes an unwelcome and complicated situation, and the expression “in a predicament” is especially common. In older writing, the word can be more neutral and simply mean a state or condition.
Easily confused with predicament
A predicate is a statement expressing something about a subject, whereas a predicament is a difficult situation or dilemma.