noun
quandary
KWAHN-duh-ree/ˈkwɑːndəri/
A state of uncertainty about what to do.
The fork in the path leaves him in a quandary about which way to go.
Etymology
Quandary originally described great difficulty or perplexity. Its origin is unknown; a tentative connection with Latin quando, “when?”, does not establish how it came to mean uncertainty about what to do.
In context
the perennial quandary of stress. Now, I've been in enough poetry classes, both as a student and teacher, to have heard people complain loudly about the difficulties of finding stressed and unstressed syllables.
More examples
- I am in a quandary about whether to stay or leave.
- The unexpected expense creates a real quandary for the family.
- He explains his quandary to a trusted friend.
Forms
quandary · quandaries
Similar words
- dilemma
- Usually involves choosing between difficult alternatives.
- predicament
- A predicament is a difficult situation; a quandary emphasizes not knowing how to respond.