complex

[ adjective verb kuhm-pleks, kom-pleks; noun kom-pleks ]

adjective

1. composed of many interconnected parts; compound; composite:

   a complex highway system.

2. characterized by a very complicated or involved arrangement of parts, units, etc.:

   complex machinery.

   Antonyms: simple

3. so complicated or intricate as to be hard to understand or deal with:

   a complex problem.

   Synonyms: labyrinthine, tangled, knotty

   Antonyms: simple

4. Grammar.
   1. (of a word) consisting of two parts, at least one of which is a bound form, as childish, which consists of the word child and the bound form -ish.
   2. complex sentence.
5. Mathematics. pertaining to or using complex numbers:

   complex methods; complex vector space.

noun

1. an intricate or complicated association or assemblage of related things, parts, units, etc.:

   the entire complex of our educational system; an apartment complex.

   Synonyms: labyrinth, tangle, web, network

2. Psychology. a system of interrelated, emotion-charged ideas, feelings, memories, and impulses that is usually repressed and that gives rise to abnormal or pathological behavior.
3. a fixed idea; an obsessive notion.
4. Mathematics.
   1. an arbitrary set of elements of a group.
   2. a collection of simplexes having specified properties.
5. Also called coordination compound. Chemistry. a compound in which independently existing molecules or ions of a nonmetal complexing agent form coordinate bonds with a metal atom or ion. Compare ligand ( def 2 ).
6. Biochemistry. an entity composed of molecules in which the constituents maintain much of their chemical identity:

   receptor-hormone complex, enzyme-substrate complex.

verb (used with object)

1. Chemistry. to form a complex with.

verb (used without object)

1. Chemistry. to form a complex.

complex

/ ˈkɒmplɛks /

adjective

1. made up of various interconnected parts; composite
2. (of thoughts, writing, etc) intricate or involved
3. grammar
   1. (of a word) containing at least one bound form
   2. (of a noun phrase) containing both a lexical noun and an embedded clause, as for example the italicized parts of the following sentence: I didn't know the man who served me
   3. (of a sentence) formed by subordination of one clause to another
4. maths of or involving one or more complex numbers

noun

1. a whole made up of interconnected or related parts

   a building complex

2. psychoanal a group of emotional ideas or impulses that have been banished from the conscious mind but that continue to influence a person's behaviour
3. informal.
   an obsession or excessive fear

   he's got a complex about cats

4. Also calledcoordination compound a chemical compound in which molecules, groups, or ions are attached to a central metal atom, esp a transition metal atom, by coordinate bonds
5. any chemical compound in which one molecule is linked to another by a coordinate bond

Usage

Complex is sometimes wrongly used where complicated is meant. Complex is properly used to say only that something consists of several parts. It should not be used to say that, because something consists of many parts, it is difficult to understand or analyse

Derived Forms

• ˈcomplexness, noun
• ˈcomplexly, adverb

Other Words From

• com·plexly adverb
• com·plexness noun
• over·com·plex adjective
• quasi-com·plex adjective
• quasi-com·plexly adverb
• super·com·plex adjective
• uncom·plex adjective
• uncom·plexly adverb
• uncom·plexness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of complex¹

First recorded in 1645–55; 1905–10 complex fordef 7; adjective from Latin complexus, past participle of complectī, complectere “to embrace, encompass, include,” equivalent to complect- ( complect ) + -tus past participle suffix; noun from Late Latin complexus “totality, complex” ( Latin: “inclusion, grasping, embrace”), equivalent to complect(ere) + -tus suffix of verb action; reanalysis of the Latin verb as “to intertwine (completely)” influenced sense of the adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of complex¹

C17: from Latin complexus, from complectī to entwine, from com- together + plectere to braid

Example Sentences

This issue of underutilized existing housing is complex and there’s not much hard data, so it’s a natural fit for us to work on bringing clarity and new ideas to this conversation.

From Voice of San Diego

The most complex global and societal issues can be broken down into smaller solvable tech challenges.

From TechCrunch

Throughout the game Mono navigates disturbing environments — like drab apartment complexes or a hospital overrun with sentient mannequins — each filled with furniture two sizes too large.

From Washington Post

“It’s not just proteins, it’s a complex, emotional product,” says Aleph chief executive Didier Toubia.

From Washington Post

Per the agreement, organizations are limited to 75 players and 75 staff at their complexes, and are encouraged to spread them out as much as possible.

From Washington Post

It was a complex task they were asked to do, and every cultural and experiential advantage would be required.

From The Daily Beast

However, their presence shows that Mars could have a more complex and evolving chemical story.

From The Daily Beast

KSM enters the complex through a “Sally Port,” a series of gates designed to allow just one vehicle in at a time.

From The Daily Beast

We are a huge, complex, diverse country still offering freedom, opportunity and hope.

From The Daily Beast

If Congress struggles to keep the lights on, how could it deal with issues as complex as police brutality?

From The Daily Beast

The act of the Covenanting Society is complex, and is the aggregate of the actings of all who compose it.

From Project Gutenberg

He knows when a sentiment is simple and when it is complex, when the heart is a dupe of the mind and when of the senses.

From Project Gutenberg

The solution of the problem, if complex in all clinical affections, is especially so in epilepsy.

From Project Gutenberg

Bud did not say anything; your efficient chauffeur reserves his eloquence for something more complex than a dead engine.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the most complex of all, as the lines contain internal rimes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• complicated
• convoluted
• disturbing
• intricate
• obscure
• perplexing
• sophisticated