noun
-
the state or quality of being intricate or complex
-
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
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!
Nothing But the Truth
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!
"Why Read Shakespeare?" Vocabulary from the argument
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.
See Examples For:
This is far from the first issue created by the huge complexity of the latest hybrid engines introduced this year, with their near 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power.
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
If Mariam is the film’s heartbreaking figure, Abbass brings complexity to the character, never letting her be a saintly victim.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
“Importantly, we are acting on our previously outlined priorities including restoring margins, increasing investment, reducing complexity, and rebalancing capital allocation, which are translating into measurable progress across the business,” Brase said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
It has continued to increase and upgrade its service complexity to narrow gap with peers, while pricing its services 15%-20% below them, the analyst says.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
An even more radical rejection of complexity can be heard in the piano miniatures of Erik Satie, Faure’s eccentric, half-English contemporary.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
It’s a fun, childlike interpretation of the complexities of coming from two cultures and religions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026
We anticipated logistical challenges and ethical complexities, including potential trauma reactivation and our inability to provide clinical care.
From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2026
Those legal complexities have never been put to the test.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
Vowles has explained the complexities of producing a new car to a new rule set stress-tested the factory and exposed weaknesses that were previously not apparent.
From BBC ● Jul. 29, 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.
