Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

trilemma

/tɹaɪˈlɛmə/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.56 in modern English

Syllables
tri-lem-ma
IPA
/tɹaɪˈlɛmə/
12
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
7
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A circumstance in which a choice must be made between three options that seem equally undesirable.

noun

A situation in which a choice must be made among three desirable options, only two of which are possible at the same time.

Example Sentences

Etymology

The word is modelled on dilemma, with di- (“two, twice, double”) replaced by tri- (“three”), equivalent to tri- + lemma.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /tɹaɪˈlɛmə/
  • British English: /tɹaɪˈlɛmə/

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce trilemma?
The recorded pronunciation is /tɹaɪˈlɛmə/.
What does trilemma mean?
A circumstance in which a choice must be made between three options that seem equally undesirable.
Where does trilemma come from?
The word is modelled on dilemma, with di- (“two, twice, double”) replaced by tri- (“three”), equivalent to tri- + lemma.

How to pronounce trilemma

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “trilemma”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/tɹaɪˈlɛmə/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “trilemma”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “trilemma” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.