complexion
Americannoun
-
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.
noun
-
the colour and general appearance of a person's skin, esp of the face
-
aspect, character, or nature
the general complexion of a nation's finances
-
obsolete
-
the temperament of a person
-
the temperature and general appearance of the body
-
Other Word Forms
- complexional adjective
- complexionally adverb
Etymology
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
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.
But whatever the complexion of the incoming Welsh government, it will face up to an ageing and potentially budget-draining legacy of health service buildings.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Trader Anwar Dahiru Abdulmalik, 25, arrived just at Yarmaishinkafi's office, is looking for a match two years younger, tall and fair in complexion from a middle-class background.
From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026
Matches come so quickly that the entire complexion of the title race can change in a matter of days.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025
“Again, this has not happened yet, but it’s a scenario we need to stay alert to, as a confirmed breakdown would clearly shift the market’s complexion in a meaningful way,” Cappelleri wrote.
From MarketWatch • Oct. 19, 2025
His trademark purple complexion was even rosier than usual.
From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer
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.
