Complex Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 5, 2024
Complex means consisting of many different and connected parts; not simple or easy to understand. e.g., The scientist explained the complex structure of DNA.
Table of Contents
Complex Definitions
Multifaceted Situation: A situation with many interconnected parts or aspects.
Negotiations were complex due to the differing interests of the parties involved.
Complex System: A system with numerous components that interact in various ways.
Ecosystems are complex systems that maintain balance through biodiversity.
Architectural Compound: A group of buildings or facilities located close to each other.
The sports complex includes a pool, gym, and tennis courts.
Psychological State: Referring to a complicated emotional state or condition.
He's dealing with a complex mix of feelings after the event.
Chemical Compound: A substance made up of two or more elements.
Water is a complex molecule made of hydrogen and oxygen.
Mathematical Problem: In mathematics, a problem involving complex numbers.
Solving complex equations requires understanding imaginary numbers.
Intricate Relationship: Relationships involving multiple, nuanced interactions or connections.
The novel explores the complex relationship between siblings.
Consisting of interconnected or interwoven parts; composite
Complex equipment with multiple components.
Composed of two or more units
A complex carbohydrate.
Difficult to understand for being intricate or involved; complicated
A complex problem.
Consisting of at least one bound form. Used of a word.
Consisting of an independent clause and at least one other independent or dependent clause. Used of a sentence.
A whole composed of interconnected or interwoven parts
A complex of cities and suburbs.
The military-industrial complex.
A building or group of buildings used for a single purpose
A sports complex.
In psychoanalysis, a group of related, often repressed ideas and impulses that compel characteristic or habitual patterns of thought, feelings, and behavior.
An exaggerated or obsessive concern or fear
Has a complex about his weight.
(Medicine) The combination of factors, symptoms, or signs of a disease or disorder that forms a syndrome.
Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
A complex being; a complex idea
Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
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
Function of a complex variable
Whose range is a subset of the complex numbers.
Complex function
Whose coefficients are complex numbers; defined over the field of complex numbers.
Complex polynomial
Complex algebraic variety
(geometry) A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.
A problem. en
A network of interconnected systems.
Military-industrial complex
A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
An assemblage of related things; a collection.
An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
A cluster of wildfires burning in the same vicinity.
The fire complex began as two separate fires.
(taxonomy) A group of closely related species, often distinguished only with difficulty by traditional morphological methods.
(psychoanalysis) An abnormal mental condition caused by repressed emotions.
A vehement, often excessive psychological dislike or fear of a particular thing.
Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss.
(chemistry) 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.
(math) A complex number.
(linguistics) A multimorphemic word, one with several parts, one with affixes.
To form a complex with another substance
(transitive) To complicate.
Composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a complex being; a complex idea.
Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe.
Involving many parts; complicated; intricate.
When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is difficult and complex.
Assemblage of related things; collection; complication.
This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel.
A conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts;
The complex of shopping malls, houses, and roads created a new town
A compound described in terms of the central atom to which other atoms are bound or coordinated
(psychoanalysis) a combination of emotions and impulses that have been rejected from awareness but still influence a person's behavior
A whole structure (as a building) made up of interconnected or related structures
Complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts;
A complex set of variations based on a simple folk melody
A complex mass of diverse laws and customs
Complicated Structure: Having a complicated or intricate structure.
The machine has a complex design that requires expert assembly.
Difficult Problem: A problem that is hard to solve due to various factors.
Climate change is a complex issue that affects everyone.
Sophisticated Technology: Technology that is advanced and involves multiple components.
The new smartphone features a complex array of sensors.
Complex Snonyms
Complicated
Consisting of many interconnecting parts or elements; intricate.
The watch mechanism is highly complicated.
Convoluted
Extremely complex and difficult to follow.
The plot of the movie was convoluted and hard to follow.
Multifaceted
Having many aspects or phases.
His character is multifaceted and complex.
Intricate
Very complicated or detailed.
An intricate pattern decorated the ancient vase.
Sophisticated
Developed to a high degree of complexity.
The software is too sophisticated for a beginner user.
Elaborate
Involving many carefully arranged parts or details; detailed and complicated in design and planning.
The plan for the event was elaborate and well-thought-out.
Diverse
Showing a great deal of variety; very different.
The ecosystem is complex and diverse.
Complex
Composed of many interconnected parts; compound; composite.
The human brain is a complex organ.
Involved
Difficult to comprehend; complicated.
The legal procedures were too involved for the layman to understand.
Complex Idioms & Phrases
Break down the complex
To simplify a complicated issue or situation into understandable parts.
The teacher had a gift for breaking down the complex theories into digestible pieces for her students.
Complex at heart
Something that may seem simple on the surface but is complicated underneath.
The so-called simple machine was complex at heart, requiring expert knowledge to repair.
The beauty of the complex
Appreciating the intricacy or detailed nature of something.
Mathematicians often speak about the beauty of the complex equations they solve.
Navigate the complex
To find one's way through a complicated situation or environment.
She had to navigate the complex bureaucracy to get the necessary permits.
A complex web
A situation or scheme that is intricate and complicated.
The investigation revealed a complex web of deceit and corruption.
A complex puzzle
A problem that is difficult to solve because of its intricate parts.
The peace negotiations were like a complex puzzle, with each piece needing to fit perfectly.
Complex in nature
Describing something inherently complicated or detailed.
Human emotions are complex in nature, often defying simple explanation.
The complex maze
A situation or structure that is confusing and difficult to navigate.
Newcomers often find the city's streets to be a complex maze.
Complex by design
Something intentionally made intricate or complicated.
The security system was complex by design to deter hacking attempts.
Tackle the complex
To confront or address a complicated problem.
The new mayor pledged to tackle the complex issues facing the city.
Beyond the complex
Looking past the complicated aspects to understand the essence.
Beyond the complex scientific jargon lay a simple truth about nature.
Caught in a complex
Trapped or entangled in a complicated situation.
They felt caught in a complex web of their own making.
A complex tapestry
A situation or story that involves many interconnected elements.
The novel wove a complex tapestry of characters and plots that fascinated readers.
Unravel the complex
To solve or clarify a complicated situation.
The detective's job was to unravel the complex mystery surrounding the disappearance.
A complex dance
A situation requiring careful maneuvering or coordination.
Diplomacy is often a complex dance of words and actions.
Embrace the complex
To accept and deal with complicated situations or problems.
She learned to embrace the complex challenges of her job.
Simplify the complex
To make a complicated matter easier to understand or manage.
His ability to simplify the complex made him an excellent teacher.
Complex at first glance
Appearing complicated at the initial observation but potentially simpler upon closer examination.
The problem seemed complex at first glance, but the solution was surprisingly straightforward.
The complex spectrum
The wide range or variety of complicated factors or elements.
Discussions on ethics cover a complex spectrum of issues.
A complex harmony
A state of balance or agreement achieved among various complicated elements.
The team achieved a complex harmony, integrating diverse skills and perspectives.
Complex Example Sentences
The robot's circuitry was too complex for beginners to understand.
Engineers often work on complex projects that require multidisciplinary knowledge.
Creating a vaccine for the virus involved complex research and testing.
The software's user interface is complex but highly customizable.
The peace treaty negotiation was a complex process with many setbacks.
Understanding the stock market can be complex for new investors.
The artist's latest work is a complex blend of colors and shapes.
She found the instructions for the game too complex to follow.
The plot of the mystery novel was intriguingly complex.
The human brain is one of the most complex organs.
The complex nature of the language made it difficult to learn.
Organizing the event was complex due to the number of participants.
The company developed a complex algorithm to analyze data.
The recipe called for a complex mixture of spices.
Solving the puzzle required understanding a complex pattern.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called complex?
It is called complex because it refers to something that is made up of many interrelated parts or elements and is not simple.
How many syllables are in complex?
There are two syllables in complex.
How is complex used in a sentence?
Example as an adjective: The problem is too complex to solve quickly. Example as a noun: The apartment complex has a swimming pool.
What is the verb form of complex?
Complex does not have a verb form as it is an adjective and a noun.
What is the pronunciation of complex?
As an adjective, complex is pronounced as /ˈkɒm.plɛks/. As a noun, it is pronounced as /kəmˈplɛks/.
What is a stressed syllable in complex?
The stressed syllable in complex depends on its usage. As an adjective, the stress is on the first syllable: "COM-plex." As a noun, the stress is on the second syllable: "com-PLEX."
How do we divide complex into syllables?
Complex is divided into syllables as follows: com-plex.
What is another term for complex?
Another term for complex as an adjective is "complicated," and as a noun, it can be "compound" or "complexity."
What is the root word of complex?
The root word of complex is "complexus" in Latin, which means "entwined" or "twisted together."
What is the opposite of complex?
The opposite of complex is "simple."
Is complex an abstract noun?
As a noun, complex can be considered abstract when referring to a concept, such as a psychological complex.
Is complex a collective noun?
Complex can be a collective noun when referring to a group of buildings or facilities (e.g., "apartment complex").
What part of speech is complex?
Complex can be both an adjective and a noun.
Is complex a negative or positive word?
Complex is neutral; it can be positive or negative depending on the context.
Is the word complex imperative?
Complex is not used in the imperative form as it is an adjective and a noun.
Is the word “complex” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Complex can be a direct object when used as a noun (e.g., "We studied the complex").
What is the plural form of complex?
The plural form is "complexes."
Is complex a noun or adjective?
Complex can be both a noun and an adjective.
Is complex a vowel or consonant?
The first letter of complex, "c," is a consonant.
Is complex a countable noun?
As a noun, complex is countable (e.g., "There are several complexes in the area").
Which conjunction is used with complex?
Conjunctions such as "and," "or," or "but" can be used with complex depending on the context.
Is complex an adverb?
No, complex is not an adverb.
Which vowel is used before complex?
There is no specific rule for using a vowel before complex. It depends on the context of the sentence.
Which preposition is used with complex?
Prepositions such as "in," "of," or "within" can be used with complex depending on the context.
What is the singular form of complex?
The singular form is "complex."
Is the complex term a metaphor?
Complex can be used metaphorically to describe intricate situations or problems.
Is the word complex Gerund?
Complex is not a gerund as it is not a verb.
Which determiner is used with complex?
Determiners such as "the," "a," or "this" can be used with complex depending on the context.
Which article is used with complex?
Articles such as "the," "a," or "an" can be used with complex depending on the context and whether it is used as a noun or an adjective.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
