quandary

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkwɒn.də.ɹi/, /ˈkwɒn.dɹi/ (UK); /ˈkwɑn.də.ɹi/, /ˈkwɑn.dɹi/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

Of unknown origin.^[2][3][4] It may be a fanciful quasi-Latin formation from Latin quandō (“when”).^[3][5] It seems originally to have been stressed on the second syllable.^[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

It first meant a state of great perplexity or uncertainty, a dilemma.^[3][6]

Semantic evolution

Its meaning has stayed close to the original.^[2][6] A verb, to put or be in a quandary, is recorded in the 17th century.^[6]

Timeline

• 1579 – first recorded;^[6][4] Etymonline says the 1570s.^[3]
• 1616 – verb, to be in a quandary.^[6]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A state of perplexity or uncertainty, especially about what to do; a dilemma.

Related words

• dilemma
• predicament

Usage notes

Random House refers to predicament for the distinction between it and its synonyms.^[5]

References

1. [1] Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. [1] [2] The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
3. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. [1] [2] Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. [1] [2] Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
6. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press