complexion

or com·plec·tion

[ kuhm-plek-shuhn ]

/ kəmˈplɛk ʃən /

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See synonyms for complexion on Thesaurus.com

noun

the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, especially of the face: a clear, smooth, rosy complexion.

appearance; aspect; character: His confession put a different complexion on things.

viewpoint, attitude, or conviction: one's political complexion.

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

Obsolete. nature; disposition; temperament.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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

OTHER WORDS FROM complexion

com·plex·ion·al, adjectivecom·plex·ion·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby complexion

complex analysis, complex carbohydrate, complex conjugate, complex fraction, complexing agent, complexion, complexioned, complexionless, complexity, complexity theory, complex number

Other definitions for complexion (2 of 2)

complex ion

noun Chemistry.

a charged complex.Compare complex (def. 10).

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use complexion in a sentence

The OPTE wand digitally scans your skin, analyzes your complexion, and camouflages age spots, sunspots, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation with a custom-tinted and hydrating serum.
The 10 most exceptional personal care products from 2020|By Rachel Feltman and Jordan Blok|December 4, 2020|Popular-Science
For that radiant complexion, Sheriff-Hendricks used a combination of the brand’s beloved Luminous Silk Hydrating Primer, the Neo Nude Foundation, Luminous Silk Concealer, and Neo Nude Fusion Powder.
Taraji P. Henson’s AMA Makeup Look Had To Complement A Whopping 10 Outfit Changes|cmurray|November 23, 2020|Essence.com
Wexler said releasing the dash-cam video changed the complexion of the case.
Fairfax County police chief to step down in February|Justin Jouvenal|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
Al was starting to have trouble breathing and his complexion seemed to be turning ashen.
A California mountain community loses its heart|Mike Silverstein|September 10, 2020|Washington Blade

In the end, we learn that the pigman was, of course, just a man who is about five feet, hairless, with a pink complexion.
Science of ‘Seinfeld’|LGBTQ-Editor|June 15, 2020|No Straight News
His complexion was ruddy, his fair skin burnt from time in the sun.
Watching ISIS Come to Power Again|Elliot Ackerman|September 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Since The Great White Way was given that strange moniker in 1890, the majority of actors have also bore a pasty complexion.
The Tupac Musical Hits Broadway: Kenny Leon’s ‘Holler If Ya Hear Me’ Is Crazy, Silly Fun|Marlow Stern|June 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You become aware of the complexion of colors and “the restrained luxury of the surfaces.”
Seduced by Art & Beauty ‘At the House of Mr X’|Chloë Ashby|January 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Imagine the lifelong impact on a girl who, from her earliest days at school, is looked upon as ugly because of her complexion.
Miss America, Meet India’s ‘Dark’ Side|Tunku Varadarajan|September 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He is lean, well muscled, the complexion of a hazel nut, with black, sympathetic eyes.
The Marine and His Cousin the Firefighter|Maurice Emerson Decaul|September 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Madame Ratignolle, more careful of her complexion, had twined a gauze veil about her head.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Why use dangerous cosmetics when Jones' soap retains youth and health for the complexion, and fosters the development of beauty?
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Gunn possessed a purple complexion which attained to full vigor of coloring in the nasal region.
Dope|Sax Rohmer
Within five days of Lannes's taking over command the whole complexion of the situation had altered.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
Their complexion is a light bronze, stunted in stature, well-knit, and about the middle size.
A Woman's Journey Round the World|Ida Pfeiffer

British Dictionary definitions for complexion

complexion

/ (kəmˈplɛkʃən) /

noun

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

aspect, character, or naturethe general complexion of a nation's finances

obsolete

the temperament of a person
the temperature and general appearance of the body

Derived forms of complexion

complexional, adjective

Word Origin for complexion

C14: from medical Latin complexiō one's bodily characteristics, from Latin: a combination, from complectī to embrace; see complex

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

complexion

or com·plec·tion

Origin of complexion

OTHER WORDS FROM complexion

Words nearby complexion

Other definitions for complexion (2 of 2)

Words related to complexion

How to use complexion in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for complexion

Derived forms of complexion

Word Origin for complexion