Complex
/ˈkɒmplɛks/
Definitions
2 meaningsConsisting of many different and connected parts.
/ˈkɒmplɛks/
Having many interconnected parts
The instructions were too complex for me to follow.
💡 Simply: Imagine a tangled ball of yarn – that's a complex thing! It has lots of parts all mixed up.
👶 For kids: Lots of parts all mixed together!
More Examples
She has a complex personality.
How It's Used
"The experiment involved a complex series of chemical reactions."
"The bridge's design is incredibly complex."
A group of buildings or structures forming a whole.
/ˈkɒmplɛks/
A group of buildings
The sports complex includes a stadium and swimming pool.
💡 Simply: Imagine several houses or buildings all next to each other – that's a complex!
👶 For kids: Lots of houses or buildings together.
More Examples
They live in a large apartment complex.
How It's Used
"The new apartment complex is nearly finished."
Idioms & expressions
The complex issue of...
A difficult problem with many facets.
"The complex issue of climate change requires global cooperation."
From Latin *complexus, past participle of complēctī 'to entwine, embrace', from com- 'together' + plectere 'to weave'.
The word has been used in its current senses since the 16th century, although its meaning has evolved from a more literal sense of 'entwined' to its modern usage.
Memory tip
Think of a complex as a complicated web.
Word Origin
"to entwine, embrace"