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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"Why Read Shakespeare?" Vocabulary from the argument
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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.
But as the number of points increases, so too does the geometric complexity.
From Slate • Jun. 22, 2026
According to the analysis, some contributors to the strawberry genome may have been extinct or remain unsampled, underscoring the complexity of polyploid genome evolution.
From Science Daily • Jun. 19, 2026
The intentions are noble and the themes are handled with admirable complexity, but the writing is sluggish.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026
Wispy fescue and undulating and fast greens add further layers of complexity to Shinnecock's fearsome reputation.
From BBC • Jun. 18, 2026
They twisted gold wire and inlaid interlacements of the wildest complexity on the crosiers of the bishops.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
