intricate

[ in-tri-kit ]

adjective

1. having many interrelated parts or facets; entangled or involved:

   an intricate maze.

   Synonyms: labyrinthine, tangled, knotty

2. complex; complicated; hard to understand, work, or make:

   an intricate machine.

intricate

/ ˈɪntrɪkɪt /

adjective

1. difficult to understand; obscure; complex; puzzling
2. entangled or involved

   intricate patterns

Derived Forms

• ˈintricately, adverb
• ˈintricacy, noun

Other Words From

• intri·cate·ly adverb
• intri·cate·ness noun
• un·intri·cate adjective
• un·intri·cate·ly adverb
• un·intri·cate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intricate¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin intrīcātus “entangled,” past participle of intrīcāre “to entangle,” from in- in- ² + trīc(ae) “perplexities” + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of intricate¹

C15: from Latin intrīcāre to entangle, perplex, from in- ² + trīcae trifles, perplexities

Example Sentences

Montalto recalls the Naples of her youth with intricate paintings that often include a volcano.

From Washington Post

The natural consequence of a young quarterback’s growth is that teams throw ever more intricate schemes at him, disguises and unscouted looks.

From Washington Post

You can also keep it basic by using one color and the simplest stitches in the book, or you can build on it—add different cables, intricate stitches, or a jacquard pattern to make all your senatorial-meme fantasies come true.

From Popular-Science

While the women’s version has a more intricate design and color options, the men’s version is available in neutrals.

From Popular-Science

Many cordless trimmers will carry at least one hour of power on a single charge, so unless you’re doing something particularly intricate, you should make it out without extra whiskers holding on.

From Popular-Science

It features on its front and back covers an intricate “original” design, embossed in gold.

From The Daily Beast

It must be the compelling characters, the memorable lines, the intricate plots.

From The Daily Beast

The Mayans are lauded for their achievements—their art & architecture, intricate calendar, and developed culture.

From The Daily Beast

These tents form an intricate retail ecosystem that can be loosely divided into two parts: barracas and ambulantes.

From The Daily Beast

Pac may not be as verbose as other rappers of his time, but his flow is intricate, and complicated to replicate.

From The Daily Beast

The intricate perforations of the lamp were inset with colored glass, and the result was a subdued and warm illumination.

From Project Gutenberg

Afterwards we sounded its channel, and found a deep passage, but too narrow and intricate to be preferred to the eastern channel.

From Project Gutenberg

This entrance to the bay is very intricate, and useless, since that to the south of the islands is so much better.

From Project Gutenberg

The corridors are long, narrow and intricate passages, forming a complete underground net-work.

From Project Gutenberg

When I saw him he was coming down the steps; his feet, his finger and his lips moving in time to some intricate measure.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• baroque
• complex
• convoluted
• difficult
• labyrinthine
• sophisticated
• tangled
• tortuous
• tricky