intricate

American  

[in-tri-kit] / ˈɪn trɪ kɪt /

adjective

1. having many interrelated parts or facets; entangled or involved.

   an intricate maze.

   Synonyms:

   labyrinthine , tangled , knotty

2. complex; complicated; hard to understand, work, or make.

   an intricate machine.

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intricate British  

/ ˈɪntrɪkɪt /

adjective

1. difficult to understand; obscure; complex; puzzling

2. entangled or involved

   intricate patterns

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Other Word Forms

• intricacy noun
• intricately adverb
• intricateness noun
• unintricate adjective
• unintricately adverb
• unintricateness noun

Etymology

Origin of intricate

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin intrīcātus “entangled,” past participle of intrīcāre “to entangle,” from in- in- ² + trīc(ae) “perplexities” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Example Sentences

So the two “football meatheads or football nerds” who “think about the game in a very intricate way” could engage in shop talk.

From Los Angeles Times

LeBron James playfully bumped Davis at the center of the court before the game then they did the same intricate handshake they performed before games as teammates.

From Los Angeles Times

The revelations in “The Dentist” occur not in the heavens, however, but in the interview room where Mr. Sullivan’s intricate plot takes shape.

From The Wall Street Journal

X-ray movies like the ones captured for C60 provide an important testing ground for exploring fundamental quantum processes in increasingly large and intricate molecules.

From Science Daily

"Are you ready Shanghai?!" screamed the DJ, his glowing booth nestled at the heart of a huge intricate structure of pulsating colour and sound.

From Barron's

Related Words

• baroque
• complex
• convoluted
• difficult
• labyrinthine
• sophisticated
• tangled
• tortuous
• tricky