complex
Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
Word facts
Definition of Complex
Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
Example sentences
The recipe is more complex than it first appears.
Building a bridge is a complex task with many parts.
Using Complex well
A closer look at how complex is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Made of many connected parts, so it is hard to understand or deal with.
Use it when something has many interrelated parts, not just when it is hard. It differs from 'complicated', which stresses tangled difficulty; 'complex' is more neutral about intricacy.
Technical, scientific, and analytical writing; discussions of systems, problems, and relationships; and as a noun for a building group ('sports complex') or a psychological pattern ('inferiority complex').
'Complex' vs 'complicated': a system can be complex (many interacting parts) without being complicated (confusing or badly tangled). Reserve 'complicated' for difficulty, 'complex' for structure.
- complicated
- emphasizes difficulty and tangle; 'complex' can be intricate yet orderly, 'complicated' rarely is
- intricate
- highlights fine, delicate detail — often with a note of admiration
- elaborate
- suggests something built up with many worked-out details, often deliberately
- convoluted
- negative — twisted and needlessly hard to follow
- multifaceted
- neutral-to-positive; stresses having many sides or aspects worth exploring
- simple
- the plain opposite — few parts, easy to grasp
- straightforward
- emphasizes ease of understanding with no hidden difficulty
- basic
- stresses being stripped to fundamentals, sometimes implying too little
- Beginner The instructions were too complex for me to follow.
- In writing Climate is a complex system in which small changes can ripple outward in unexpected ways.
- Advanced Her feelings toward her hometown were complex — part longing, part relief at having left.
Complex = 'com-' (together) + 'plex' (woven) — many strands woven together.
Synonyms for Complex
Related words
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Words that rhyme with Complex
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does complex mean?
Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple. It is an adjective.
How many syllables does complex have?
There are 2 syllables in complex, divided as kahmp·lehks when spoken.
What part of speech is complex?
In a sentence, complex functions as an adjective. As a noun, it names a thing, idea, or concept.
What are synonyms for complex?
Close in meaning to complex are byzantine, intricate, convoluted, tortuous — choose the one whose tone fits your sentence.
How do you use complex in a sentence?
Example: "The recipe is more complex than it first appears."