Intricate
'ɪntrɪkət
Definitions
Having many complexly interrelated parts or elements; elaborate and detailed.
'ɪntrɪkət
Having many complexly interrelated parts or elements
The intricate design on the vase captivated her.
💡 Simply: Imagine a really fancy puzzle or design that has tons of little details and pieces that fit together in a clever way. It's like when you build a Lego set that has a lot of steps and parts!
👶 For kids: When something is intricate, it has lots of small parts and details that fit together in a clever way, like a puzzle.
More Examples
The watch had an intricate mechanism.
They spent hours deciphering the intricate puzzle.
How It's Used
"The artist's painting displayed an intricate network of lines and colors."
"The software's code was incredibly intricate, requiring specialized knowledge to understand."
"The novel had an intricate plot with numerous twists and turns."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
Intricate dance
A dance with many complex steps, formations, and movements
"The ballet involved an intricate dance of the swans."
Intricate web
A network or system of interconnected things or relationships.
"The politician got caught in an intricate web of corruption."
From Latin intricatus, past participle of intricare ("entangle, perplex"), from in- ("in") + tricae ("hindrances, perplexities").
The word 'intricate' has been used since the 16th century, initially to describe something entangled or complex.
Memory tip
Think of an intricate lace pattern with many interwoven threads.
Word Origin
"entangle, perplex"