Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Complex

//ˈkɒmplɛks// adj, noun, verb

Definitions

Adjective

1
Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
"a complex being; a complex idea"
2
Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
"If, when the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is complex and difficult, and if we are discontented at this, nature, and not the astronomer, must be the object of our displeasure."
3
Having the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is (by definition) the imaginary square root of −1.
"complex number"
4
Whose range is a subset of the complex numbers.
"complex function"
5
Whose coefficients are complex numbers; defined over the field of complex numbers.
"complex polynomial"

Show 1 more definition

6
A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.

Adjective

1
complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts wordnet
2
difficult to analyze or understand wordnet

Noun

1
A network of interconnected systems.
"military–industrial complex"
2
a whole structure (as a building) made up of interconnected or related structures wordnet
3
A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
"The south polar region of Promethei Planum developed a Bermuda Triangle reputation. Satellites detected intermittent mass concentrations and magnetic field shifts. In 2148, prospectors working near Deseado Crater discovered an underground complex: a Prothean observation post. The odd phenomena were generated by the operation and discharge of a mass effect core, struggling to function despite fifty millennia of neglect."
4
a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts wordnet
5
An assemblage of related things; a collection.
"This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel."

Show 10 more definitions

6
(psychoanalysis) a combination of emotions and impulses that have been rejected from awareness but still influence a person's behavior wordnet
7
An assemblage of related things; a collection.; An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
8
a compound described in terms of the central atom to which other atoms are bound or coordinated wordnet
9
An assemblage of related things; a collection.; A cluster of wildfires burning in the same vicinity.
"The fire complex began as two separate fires."
10
An assemblage of related things; a collection.; A group of closely related species, often distinguished only with difficulty by traditional morphological methods.
"Since then, a good deal of research has documented and concluded that the nominal species A. fraterculus actually comprises an unresolved complex of cryptic species."
11
A group of emotionally charged ideas or mental factors, unconsciously associated by the individual with a particular subject, arising from repressed instincts, fears, or desires and often resulting in mental abnormality.
"Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss."
12
A group of emotionally charged ideas or mental factors, unconsciously associated by the individual with a particular subject, arising from repressed instincts, fears, or desires and often resulting in mental abnormality.; A fixed mental tendency or obsession.
13
A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules, as for example coordination complexes in inorganic chemistry and protein complexes in biochemistry.
"Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis:[…]. The evolutionary precursor of photosynthesis is still under debate, and a new study sheds light. The critical component of the photosynthetic system is the “water-oxidizing complex”, made up of manganese atoms and a calcium atom."
14
A complex number.
"The interesting aspect here is that U₃ is irreducible, even though all irreps over the complexes are one-dimensional because ℤ₄ is abelian."
15
A multimorphemic word, one with several parts, one with affixes.

Verb

1
To form a complex with another substance. intransitive
2
To complicate. transitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

From French complexe, from Latin complexus, past participle of complector (“I entwine, encircle, compass, infold”), from com- (“together”) and plectere (“to weave, braid”). May be analyzed as com- + -plex. See complect. Doublet of complexus.

Etymology 2

Etymology 3

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: complex