complicated

[kom-pli-key-tid]

adjective

1. composed of elaborately interconnected parts; complex.

   complicated apparatus for measuring brain functions.

2. difficult to analyze, understand, explain, etc..

   a complicated problem.

   Synonyms: knotty, tangled, involved

complicated

/ ˈkɒmplɪˌkeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. made up of intricate parts or aspects that are difficult to understand or analyse

Other Word Forms

• complicatedly adverb
• complicatedness noun
• uncomplicated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicated¹

First recorded in 1640–50; complicate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

The demonstrations look impressive because clothes folding seems complicated, but really isn’t.

From Los Angeles Times

He didn’t just co-write this tale of two estranged brothers excavating their complicated history — he imbues it with his essence, its reason for being.

From Los Angeles Times

“He’s a really deep, complicated person. When you watch him in ‘Fast Five’ or ‘San Andreas,’ it’s a great feeling because you know he’s going to take care of you.

From Los Angeles Times

Collective protest has been complicated by consolidation, franchising and acquisitions, making it ever more difficult to even figure out who to protest and how.

From Salon

And the situation becomes more complicated still once the child turns 18.

From BBC

Related Words

• arduous 
• convoluted 
• difficult 
• fancy 
• hard 
• intricate 
• knotty 
• perplexing 
• problematic 
• sophisticated 
• troublesome