Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of intricacy
First recorded in 1595–1605; intric(ate) + -acy
Explanation
The noun intricacy means a quality of being complex or elaborately detailed. You could compliment the intricacy of your friend's complicated hairdo. A delicate piece of jewelry, twisted with decorative strands of silver, can be admired for its intricacy, and an overly complex piece of legislation might be criticized for its intricacy. You could also talk about the intricacy of the universe, or the intricacy of the human body. Intricacy comes from the Latin root word intricatus, which means "entangled."
Vocabulary lists containing intricacy
Power Suffix: -acy
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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.
Enough of the intricacy and the controversy, anyway.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
Under it all, though, is an alluring intricacy in the instrumental ensemble.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2025
These parents would cling to laminated PDFs that detailed every intricacy of their child’s case.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025
Natasha Rothwell’s spa manager Belinda is the sole character whose emotional trials are explored with nuance and intricacy.
From Salon • Feb. 16, 2025
They see the nuance of the costumes, the intricacy of the signs.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
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.
