binary

1.adjectiveC1

Definition

describing a way of writing numbers in which every value is built from just the two digits 0 and 1, used inside computers because each digit can match an electrical on or off signal.

Example

Jin showed his daughter how the letter A becomes 01000001 in binary code.

binary + noun: 'binary code'

Every photo on your phone is stored as a long string of binary digits.

binary + noun: 'binary digits'

Common collocations

binary code
binary digit
binary number
binary file
binary form

Synonyms

base-2
more technical; preferred in maths textbooks

Antonyms

decimal
the everyday base-10 system using digits 0 to 9

Grammar Patterns

binary + noun (code, digit, number, file)

Usage Note

Almost always sits before a noun (binary code, binary digit, binary file, binary number); rarely used after a linking verb in this sense.

Common Mistakes

My computer speaks in binaries.

My computer speaks in binary.

when it means the base-2 system, 'binary' is uncountable; no plural -s.

2.adjectiveC1

Definition

made up of, or forcing you to pick between, exactly two opposite categories such as yes or no, on or off, with no middle ground allowed.

Example

The referendum gave voters a binary choice: leave the union or stay.

binary + noun: 'binary choice'

Dr. Eitan argued that gender is not as binary as the old forms suggest.

predicative use after linking verb

Common collocations

binary choice
binary opposition
binary thinking
binary system
binary distinction

Synonyms

two-way
plainer, less academic
dichotomous
very formal; common in academic writing
either-or
informal; often hyphenated before a noun

Antonyms

non-binary
rejecting a strict two-category split, especially of gender
spectrum
noun: a range with many positions between two ends

Grammar Patterns

binary + noun (choice, opposition, system)

Usage Note

Often carries a slightly critical tone, suggesting the two-way split is too simple. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about any pair of opposites, not specifically the digits 0 and 1.

Common Mistakes

The shop offers a binary of three colours.

The shop offers a choice of three colours.

'binary' only works for exactly two options, not three.

1.nounC1

Definition

the way of counting that computers use, where every number is written using only the digits 0 and 1 instead of the ten digits people normally use.

Example

The teacher asked Citlali to write the number ten in binary on the whiteboard.

preposition pattern: 'in binary'

Computers turn every keystroke into binary before saving it to memory.

object of 'into': 'into binary'

Common collocations

in binary
convert to binary
translate into binary

Synonyms

base-2
synonymous; more technical and used in maths classes

Antonyms

decimal
the base-10 system most people use daily

Grammar Patterns

in binary

convert (sth) to / into binary

Usage Note

Uncountable; never use 'a binary' or 'binaries' for this meaning. The fixed phrase 'in binary' is the most common pattern.

Common Mistakes

She studies a binary at school.

She studies binary at school.

the number system is uncountable; drop the article.

2.nounC1

Definition

a way of looking at the world that splits people, ideas, or things into only two opposing groups and ignores anything that does not fit neatly into one or the other.

Example

The professor challenged the binary of work and play in modern life.

the binary of X and Y

Many young readers reject the good-or-evil binary in old fairy tales.

X-or-Y + binary

Common collocations

binary of X and Y
binary between
challenge a binary
reject a binary
false binary

Synonyms

dichotomy
very close meaning; slightly more neutral
polarity
stresses opposite ends rather than two boxes

Antonyms

spectrum
a range of positions, not just two
continuum
smooth gradient with no fixed split

Grammar Patterns

a binary of X and Y

the X / Y binary

Usage Note

Common in academic and journalistic writing, almost always with a critical tone arguing the two-way split is too narrow. Distinguish from sense 1: that sense is about numbers; this sense is about ideas or social categories.

Common Mistakes

The course explores the binary of past, present, and future.

The course explores the binary of past and present.

a binary holds exactly two parts, not three.

3.nounC2

Definition

a pair of stars locked together by gravity, so that each one circles around the other instead of moving on its own through space.

Example

Through her telescope, Mei spotted a faint binary near the constellation Cygnus.

countable: 'a binary'

The star Sirius is actually a binary, with a tiny white dwarf as its partner.

predicative: 'is a binary'

Common collocations

binary star
binary system
eclipsing binary
spectroscopic binary

Synonyms

double star
everyday term used in popular astronomy
binary system
fuller technical phrase

Grammar Patterns

a binary

binary star / binary system

Usage Note

Astronomy term, often expanded to 'binary star' or 'binary system'. Countable, with a regular plural 'binaries'.

Common Mistakes

The astronomer observed binary in the sky.

The astronomer observed a binary in the sky.

countable, so it needs an article or a plural -s.

Word family

non-binary
adjectiveC1
binarism
nounC2
binarize
verbC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

All four words describe a split into exactly two parts, but they sit at different points on the formality scale. 'Binary' is the modern academic favourite and often hints that the two-way split is too narrow, as in 'a binary view of gender'. 'Dichotomous' is the most formal and is mostly found in research papers, e.g. 'a dichotomous variable in the survey'. 'Two-way' is the plainest, neutral term — useful in everyday writing about a 'two-way street' or a 'two-way race'. 'Either-or' is conversational and is usually hyphenated before a noun, as in 'an either-or decision', stressing the pressure to pick one side. Choose 'binary' when you want the critical edge, 'two-way' when you simply mean two directions.

binary ↗dichotomoustwo-wayeither-or

Common collocations

Nouns

binary code
binary digit
binary file
binary star
binary system
binary choice
binary opposition

Adverbs

strictly binary
purely binary
essentially binary

Phrases

false binary
break down a binary
non-binary identity

Prepositions

in binary
into binary
between two binaries

Etymology

LatinLate LatinMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Binary' came into English in the 15th century from Late Latin 'binarius', meaning 'consisting of two', built on Latin 'bini' ('two by two') from 'bis' ('twice'). At first it just described anything that came in pairs. The mathematical sense — a number system based on 2 — grew up in the 18th century after Gottfried Leibniz showed how arithmetic could work with only 0 and 1. The computing meaning followed naturally in the 20th century, once digital machines used on/off switches. The newer social sense, as in 'gender binary', emerged in late-20th-century academic writing from the older 'two-part' meaning.

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binary

binary — adjective

1. describing a way of writing numbers in which every value is built from just the

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. made up of, or forcing you to pick between, exactly two opposite categories such

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

binary — noun

1. the way of counting that computers use, where every number is written using only

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. a way of looking at the world that splits people, ideas, or things into only two

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. a pair of stars locked together by gravity, so that each one circles around the

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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