complexion

American  

[kuhm-plek-shuhn] / kəmˈplɛk ʃən /

Or complection

noun

1. the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially of the face.

   a clear, smooth, rosy complexion.

2. appearance; aspect; character.

   His confession put a different complexion on things.

3. viewpoint, attitude, or conviction.

   one's political complexion.

4. (in old physiology) constitution or nature of body and mind, regarded as the result of certain combined qualities.

5. Obsolete. nature; disposition; temperament.

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complexion British  

/ kəmˈplɛkʃən /

noun

1. the colour and general appearance of a person's skin, esp of the face

2. aspect, character, or nature

   the general complexion of a nation's finances

3. obsolete

   1. the temperament of a person

   2. the temperature and general appearance of the body

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Other Word Forms

• complexional adjective
• complexionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of complexion

1300–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin complexiōn- (stem of complexiō ) constitution, temperament, Latin: combination, group, literally, the act of embracing. See complex, -ion

Example Sentences

Matches come so quickly that the entire complexion of the title race can change in a matter of days.

From The Wall Street Journal

Those investments changed the complexion of Lisbon and Porto, as land values rose and the cities’ housing markets were reshaped, according to the report, which quantifies these changes.

From Barron's

His pale complexion and round face would have made him a dead ringer for the man in the moon, if the moon had wispy blond hair, bright blue eyes, and a puzzled expression.

From Literature

But Penelope took her promises seriously, even when they doomed her to a head of dark, drab locks that did nothing to flatter her complexion.

From Literature

His mother’s complexion turned white as the linen tablecloth.

From Literature

Related Words

• character
• nature