Complexes
/ˈkɒmpleksɪz/
Definitions
2 meaningsA group of things or ideas that are connected and form a whole.
/ˈkɒmpleksɪz/
A collection of related things
The urban development plan includes several commercial complexes.
💡 Simply: Imagine a bunch of buildings all together, like an apartment complex, or a set of feelings and ideas all mixed up in your head. A 'complex' is like a group or system that's connected in some way.
👶 For kids: A complex is like a bunch of things that go together. Like, a building with lots of apartments is an apartment complex!
More Examples
She struggled with a complex about public speaking.
The scientific theory is composed of a complex set of interconnected ideas.
How It's Used
"The new housing complexes are designed with various amenities."
"He developed a complex about his appearance."
"The business complex houses multiple companies."
A collection of related ideas or feelings that have strong emotional ties.
/ˈkɒmpleksɪz/
A psychological concept of a closely knit set of ideas
His inferiority complex made him overcompensate in social situations.
💡 Simply: Imagine having a really strong feeling, like feeling really bad about not being good at something. That's a complex—a group of feelings and thoughts that all hang together, usually making you feel a certain way.
👶 For kids: A complex is when you have lots of feelings about something all mixed together. Like, if you are sad and worried about something, that's a complex!
More Examples
The analyst explored her client's complex about her parents.
The fear of failure can create a performance complex.
How It's Used
"He developed a complex about his poor grades."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
From Latin *complexus*, past participle of *plectere* 'to plait, weave together'.
The term 'complex' began to be used more widely in psychology in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to the work of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud.
Memory tip
Think of a puzzle: each piece is an individual, but when they fit together, they form a complex whole.
Word Origin
"to plait, weave together"