English Explanatory Dictionary

Catch-22

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A difficult situation from which there is no escape because it involves mutually conflicting or dependent conditions.
noun
  1. Alternative letter-case form of Catch-22.

Pronunciation

/ˌkætʃ ˌtwɛnti ˈtuː/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-Catch-22.wav

Word forms

Catch-22 Catch-22s

Etymology

Coined by American author Joseph Heller in 1961 in his novel Catch-22, in which the main character feigns madness in order to avoid dangerous combat missions, but his desire to avoid them is taken to prove his sanity.

Synonyms

Catch-22 dilemma Hobson's choice Morton's fork no-win situation quandary Sophie's choice

Related words

CATCH 22 syndrome deadlock dilemma
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