noun
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the state or quality of being intricate or complex
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something intricate or complex; complication
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of complexity
Explanation
Is the movie simple or does it have lots of plot twists and intricate relationships between characters? If the latter is true, the movie's complexity makes it hard to understand. When you see the word complexity, think of something with a lot of pieces, something not easy to put into words or understand. Things that can have complexity include: the events leading up to the American Civil War, a broth made with many ingredients, your relationship with your parents. Complexity is the opposite of simplicity. When something has a lot of complexity, you say it is complex. When it has very little complexity, it is simple.
Vocabulary lists containing complexity
List 2
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Nothing But the Truth
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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.
See Examples For:
If decision making emerges from continuous interactions among the brain, body, and environment, studying it will require experimental methods capable of capturing that complexity.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
The scene thrums with the complexity of domestic life, the simultaneity of partnering and parenting, as well as of looking, being looked at, being overlooked, and being visually represented.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 25, 2026
The complexity of what they’re playing is unbelievable, and they do that on the fly, and the statement within it is still far, far heavier.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
That date was set aside following a joint request from the prosecution and defence, who cited the complexity of the case and Al-Marimi's ill health.
From BBC ● Aug. 24, 2026
The opacity and complexity of the bond market was, for big Wall Street firms, a huge advantage.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Another Schiller inquiry involves the familiar complexities of Medicare.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026
RedBird Capital Partners founder Gerry Cardinale and legendary footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović delve into the complexities of running Italian football club AC Milan and navigating the differences between American and European sports cultures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
Investors can look for opportunities in the sectors positioned to help older adults live independently, access more personalized care, extend their careers, manage the complexities of retirement and transfer wealth to spouses and heirs.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
To understand the complexities of today's leasehold system, described by many, including Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, as "feudal", we have to go back almost 1,000 years.
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
But acts of small heroism are admired, not understood in all their vague complexities, but at least admired.
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
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.
