noun
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the state or quality of being intricate or complex
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something intricate or complex; complication
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of complexity
Explanation
Is the movie simple or does it have lots of plot twists and intricate relationships between characters? If the latter is true, the movie's complexity makes it hard to understand. When you see the word complexity, think of something with a lot of pieces, something not easy to put into words or understand. Things that can have complexity include: the events leading up to the American Civil War, a broth made with many ingredients, your relationship with your parents. Complexity is the opposite of simplicity. When something has a lot of complexity, you say it is complex. When it has very little complexity, it is simple.
Vocabulary lists containing complexity
List 2
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Nothing But the Truth
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"Why Read Shakespeare?" Vocabulary from the argument
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Until now, these technologies have typically required separate propellants and hardware, adding weight and complexity.
From Science Daily • Jun. 10, 2026
I hope we leaned into his complexity and our show makes you return to his incredible book.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
The reduction in categories comes amid broader national debates over identity classification, institutional representation, and how government systems reflect demographic complexity.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026
One is the sheer complexity of the federal budget and its absurd lack of transparency; this is catnip for conspiracy theorists.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026
She wanted to reveal her past to him in its ugliness and beauty, its courage and complexity.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
