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Definition of bifurcate

bifurcate

/ˈbaɪ.fɚ.keɪt/
bi · fur · cate
Adjective:bifurcate
•
Past Simple:bifurcated
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Past Participle:bifurcated
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Present Participle:bifurcating
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bifurcate Lexical Profile

bifurcate Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To divide or split into two branches, forks, or parts.

Example

"Just beyond the old stone bridge, the mountain trail bifurcates into a steep ridge path and a gentle valley route."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

Divided into two branches or forks; forked.

Example

"The lizard's bifurcate tongue flicked out to sample chemical cues in the air."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bifurcate
Antonyms
View all antonyms for bifurcate

• Rhymes for bifurcate

• Nearby Words

bifocal
bifocals
bifold
bifurcate
big
big stick
bigamist

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the early 17th century from Medieval Latin bifurcatus, past participle of bifurcare ('to divide into two forks'), formed from the Latin prefix bi- ('two') and furca ('fork').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bifurcate. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bifurcate
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