com ‧ pli ‧ cat ‧ ed S2 /ˈkɒmpləkeɪtəd, ˈkɒmplɪkeɪtəd $ ˈkɑːm-/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ complicate ; noun : ↑ complication ; adjective : ↑ complicated ≠ UNCOMPLICATED ]
1 . difficult to understand or deal with, because many parts or details are involved SYN complex :
a complicated voting system
For young children, getting dressed is a complicated business.
very/extremely/immensely/highly etc complicated
Mental illness is a very complicated subject.
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In written English, people often use complex rather than complicated , because it sounds more formal:
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The problem is very complex.
2 . consisting of many closely connected parts SYN complex :
a complicated pattern
The human brain is an incredibly complicated organ.
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THESAURUS
▪ complicated consisting of a lot of different parts or details and therefore difficult to understand:
The rules of the game seemed very complicated.
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I didn’t realize programming the VCR would be so complicated.
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The brain is like a very powerful, very complicated computer.
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a complicated issue
▪ complex a complex process, relationship etc is difficult to understand because it has a lot of parts that are all connected in different ways:
The chemical processes involved are extremely complex.
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the complex relationship between government and the media
▪ elaborate having a lot of parts or details and very carefully planned, but often more complicated than is necessary:
Mike had worked out an elaborate system for categorizing his collection of DVDs.
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The plan to kidnap her had become even more elaborate.
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Sociologists have been coming up with increasingly elaborate theories to explain unsafe sexual practices.
▪ involved very long and complicated – use this especially about something that you think should be made simpler:
The system for choosing candidates is very involved, and I won’t go into it here.
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Adopting a child can be a long involved process.
▪ convoluted too complicated and difficult to understand – used especially about someone’s language or arguments, or about a system:
convoluted sentences
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Procedures for government funding have become more convoluted.
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James’s books are full of long paragraphs and convoluted sentences, which many people do not find appealing.
▪ intricate having a lot of small parts or details – used especially about something that is cleverly designed or made:
Lasers are used to cut intricate designs in the metal.
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The farmers use an intricate system of drainage canals.
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the intricate workings of a watch
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intricate patterns of coloured marble