# predicament

/pɹiˈdɪkəmənt/ (US) · /pɹɪdˈɪkəmənt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/predicament
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a difficult or unpleasant situation that is hard to get out of. You use this when you are stuck and do not know what to do next.

For teachers: a difficult, unpleasant, or embarrassing situation from which escape or resolution is complex. Often implies a state of uncertainty or a lack of clear options.

## Examples

- I found myself in a difficult predicament when I lost my passport.
- The company faced a financial predicament after their main supplier suddenly went bankrupt without warning.
- The protagonist's moral predicament stems from the conflicting loyalties he feels toward his family and his professional duty to the state.

## Usage notes

- Frequently used with the verbs 'find oneself in', 'face', or 'escape from'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.