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
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
Explanation
Complexion refers to the color of a person's skin, especially the face. If you have light skin, for example, you might be said to have a fair or pale complexion. The general character of something can also be called its complexion. If your team's star quarterback is out with an injury, it will change the complexion of the next game and possibly the entire season. Complexion originally referred to the humors that in ancient Greek and Roman medicine supposedly made up a person's temperament and health. The word came from the Latin complexionem, or "combination," but as humorism fell out of favor, this definition of complexion also became obsolete.
Vocabulary lists containing complexion
Much Ado About Nothing
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Bronx Masquerade
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Bullard wrote a book, “The Wrong Complexion for Protection” in 2012 with another environmental and climate justice expert, Beverly Wright, about how federal responses to disasters often exclude black communities.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2022
I use a little bit of concealer, mascara and then Complexion Rescue by BareMinerals.
From New York Times • Oct. 2, 2018
Complexion in Shakespeare’s time was a measurement of both beauty and virtue.
From Slate • Nov. 11, 2015
An entertaining, if perhaps excessively appreciative biography of Pioneer Adman Albert Lasker, the genius personally responsible for tattooing such blather as "That Schoolgirl Complexion" on the American consciousness.
From Time Magazine Archive
To Clear the Complexion, and Reduce the Size.—It is essential that the blood should be cleansed.
From The Ladies Book of Useful Information Compiled from many sources by Anonymous
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.
