predicament
prih-DIH-kuh-muhnt
Predicament (noun) means a difficult, awkward, or unpleasant situation. Example: “Losing his wallet and phone on the same day left him in quite a predicament.”
noun
1
A difficult, awkward, or unpleasant situation.
"Losing his wallet and phone on the same day left him in quite a predicament."
"The company found itself in a financial predicament after losing its biggest client."
How to use predicament
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tough or tricky spot to be stuck in, usually with no easy way out.
Common pairings
a difficult predicament
find yourself in a predicament
get out of a predicament
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Word forms
- Plural
- predicaments
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Losing his wallet and phone on the same day left him in quite a _____.
Etymology
From Late Latin praedicamentum, \"that which is predicated or asserted,\" via Old French — the meaning later narrowed to describe a tricky spot to be in.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for predicament
lament
ornament
ligament
armament
filament
sacrament
testament
firmament
tournament
parliament
temperament
disarmament
See all rhymes for predicament →
Frequently asked questions
What does “predicament” mean?
The word “predicament” means a difficult, awkward, or unpleasant situation. In plain terms, a tough or tricky spot to be stuck in, usually with no easy way out.
How do you pronounce “predicament”?
“Predicament” is pronounced prih-DIH-kuh-muhnt (/pɹɪˈdɪkəmənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “predicament” in a sentence?
Here is “predicament” used in a sentence: “Losing his wallet and phone on the same day left him in quite a predicament.”
What is another word for “predicament”?
Words with a similar meaning to “predicament” include plight.
What part of speech is “predicament”?
“Predicament” is a noun.
Where does the word “predicament” come from?
The word “predicament” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin praedicamentum, \"that which is predicated or asserted,\" via Old French — the meaning later narrowed to describe a tricky spot to be in.
Is “predicament” a common word?
“Predicament” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
