Search Dictionary
Definition of predicament

predicament

/prɪˈdɪk.ə.mənt/
pre · dic · a · ment
Plural:predicaments
•
Adjective:predicamental
JUMP TO:

predicament Lexical Profile

predicament Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation from which it is hard to extricate oneself.

Example

"With her flight canceled and her phone battery dead, she found herself in an unexpected predicament at the airport."

2

One of the fundamental, most general classes or categories into which things or concepts can be divided (in Aristotelian logic and philosophy).

Example

"In medieval scholasticism, scholars debated how attributes of substance and quality fit within the ten Aristotelian predicaments."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for predicament
Antonyms
View all antonyms for predicament

• Rhymes for predicament

• Nearby Words

predevelopment
prediabetes
prediabetic
predicament
predicate
predict
predictability

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French predicamental or directly from Late Latin praedicamentum ('that which is predicated, category'), a translation of Aristotle's Greek kategoria, derived from Latin praedicare ('to declare publicly, assert').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Predicament. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/predicament
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.