B1adjective1K

Complex

UK /["/ˈkɒmpleks/"]/US /["/kəmˈpleks//ˈkɑːmpleks/"]/

Definition

made of many different things or parts that are connected; difficult to understand

In simple words: Something that has many parts and is hard to understand.

Examples

  • The puzzle was too complex for me to solve.
  • She has a complex understanding of the topic.
  • The film's plot was quite complex, involving many subplots.
  • His emotions were complex, filled with both joy and sadness.
  • Building a house involves many complex processes and decisions.
  • Their relationship is complex and often difficult to understand.
  • The study of genetics is complex and requires a lot of background knowledge.

Usage notes

Use 'complex' when describing things that are intricate or detailed. It's appropriate in academic and professional contexts but may feel overly formal in casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'complex' as 'completely mixed' — it has many different parts mixed together.

Collocations

  • be
  • look
  • seem
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very

Synonyms

  • complicated

Antonyms

  • simple
  • easy
  • straightforward

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'complicated' — 'complex' refers to multi-faceted or intricate, while 'complicated' often implies difficulty in understanding.
  • Using 'complex' inappropriately as a noun — 'complex' can describe things, but be careful not to treat it as a standalone noun.
  • Misunderstanding the context — using it for simple situations instead of for those with multiple elements.