complexity

[ kuhm-plek-si-tee ]

/ kəmˈplɛk sɪ ti /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR complexity

noun, plural com·plex·i·ties for 2.

the state or quality of being complex; intricacy: the complexity of urban life.

something complex: the complexities of foreign policy.

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Question 1 of 9

You may have read the word "simmer" in a recipe or two, but what does it really mean?

To cook in water that begins cold and then reaches a boil.

To stew in a sauce for a long time.

To cook in water, just below boiling temperature.

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Origin of complexity

First recorded in 1715–25; complex + -ity

OTHER WORDS FROM complexity

in·ter·com·plex·i·ty, noun, plural in·ter·com·plex·i·ties.o·ver·com·plex·i·ty, nounsu·per·com·plex·i·ty, noun, plural su·per·com·plex·i·ties.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for complexity

He studied the complexities of the English language and the perplexities of religious faith.
Why George Carlin Deserves His Own Street|Kevin Bartini|October 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That there is some truth in these beliefs on both sides adds to the complexities.
Don’t Accuse Israel of Apartheid|Benjamin Pogrund|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
None of these issues are being discussed in American society with attention to their complexities.
Why These Marines Love ‘Frozen’—and Why It Matters|Aaron B. O’Connell|June 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Olson and Taylor-Johnson have alluded to some of the complexities in the Scarlet Witch/Quicksilver relationship.
A Guide to Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver, the Twins Teased at the End of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’|Rich Goldstein|April 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The complexities within that religious order, renowned for its scholars and loyalty to the pope, make for a numbing leitmotif.
How the Catholic Church Got in Bed with Mussolini|Jason Berry|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And this explains so many of the complexities of Shakespeare.
Theodore Watts-Dunton|James Douglas
The mediations required correspond to complexities for which new languages are structurally more adequate.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
The old friend was lost, and only the teacher remained, driven to madness by the complexities and multiplicities of his new world.
The Education of Henry Adams|Henry Adams
Such structural delicacy obliges us to adapt environment to its complexities.
Feminism and Sex-Extinction|Arabella Kenealy
We were already accustomed to the complexities of a house; we had officiated at each separate complexity.
Life's Minor Collisions|Frances Warner

British Dictionary definitions for complexity

complexity

/ (kəmˈplɛksɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the state or quality of being intricate or complex

something intricate or complex; complication

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

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complexity

noun, plural com·plex·i·ties for 2.

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Origin of complexity

OTHER WORDS FROM complexity

Example sentences from the Web for complexity

British Dictionary definitions for complexity

noun plural -ties

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

complexity

noun, plural com·plex·i·ties for 2.

QUIZZES

BECOME A PRO CHEF WITH THIS EXQUISITE CUISINE QUIZ!

Origin of complexity

OTHER WORDS FROM complexity

Words related to complexity

Example sentences from the Web for complexity

British Dictionary definitions for complexity

noun plural -ties