complex

noun

com·plex | \ ˈkäm-ˌpleks

Definition of complex

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts a complex of welfare programs the military-industrial complex

2a : a group of culture traits relating to a single activity (such as hunting), process (such as use of flint), or culture unit

b(1) : a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality a guilt complex

(2) : an exaggerated reaction to or preoccupation with a subject or situation He has always had a complex about spiders. She has a weight complex. Not being able to find a job was giving me a complex.

c : a group of obviously related units of which the degree and nature of the relationship is imperfectly known

d : the sum of factors (such as symptoms) characterizing a disease or condition primary tuberculous complex

3 : a chemical association of two or more species (such as ions or molecules) joined usually by weak electrostatic bonds rather than covalent bonds

4 : a building or group of buildings housing related units an apartment complex a sports complex

complex

adjective

com·plex | \ käm-ˈpleks

, kəm-ˈpleks, ˈkäm-ˌpleks\

Definition of complex (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : composed of two or more parts : composite a complex mixture of chemicals

b(1) of a word : having a bound form as one or more of its immediate constituents Unmanly is a complex word.

(2) of a sentence : consisting of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses

2 : hard to separate, analyze, or solve a complex problem

3 : of, concerned with, being, or containing complex numbers a complex root complex analysis

complex

verb

com·plex | \ käm-ˈpleks

, kəm-ˈpleks, ˈkäm-ˌpleks\

complexed; complexing; complexes

Definition of complex (Entry 3 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to make complex or into a complex

2 : chelate

Other Words from complex Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym The Complex Origins of Complex More Example Sentences Learn More about complex

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Other Words from complex

Adjective

complexly adverb

complexness noun

Verb

complexation \ ˌkäm-ˌplek-ˈsā-shən

, kəm- \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for complex

Adjective

complex, complicated, intricate, involved, knotty mean having confusingly interrelated parts. complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure. a complex recipe complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining. complicated legal procedures intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately. an intricate web of deceit involved implies extreme complication and often disorder. a rambling, involved explanation knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable. knotty ethical questions

The Complex Origins of Complex

The word complex lives up to its name, as it contains multiple parts of speech and senses. It serves as an adjective, a noun, and, less commonly, as a verb. The verb use is the oldest of the three, with an original meaning of “to join or unite.” Complex comes from the Latin complecti, which means “to entwine around, to embrace,” a word that is based in part on plectere (“to braid”). English has a number of other words that can be traced to plectere, including perplex, plexus (“an intricately interwoven combination of elements or parts in a cohering structure”), and amplexus (“the mating embrace of some amphibians, such as frogs and toads”).

Examples of complex in a Sentence

Noun

She has a complex about her appearance. a complex of protein molecules

Adjective

The house's wiring is complex. The situation is more complex than you realize.

Verb

there's no need to complex what should be a simple process for obtaining a building permit

complex

Definition of complex

Other Words from complex

Synonyms & Antonyms for complex

Choose the Right Synonym for complex

The Complex Origins of Complex

Examples of complex in a Sentence

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