First Known Use: 1643
Dictionary
1complex
noun com·plex \ˈkäm-ˌpleks\
: a group of buildings, apartments, etc., that are located near each other and used for a particular purpose
: an emotional problem that causes someone to think or worry too much about something
: a group of things that are connected in complicated ways
Full Definition of COMPLEX
1
: a whole made up of complicated or interrelated parts <a complex of welfare programs> <the military-industrial complex>
2
a : a group of culture traits relating to a single activity (as hunting), process (as use of flint), or culture unit b (1) : a group of repressed desires and memories that exerts a dominating influence upon the personality (2) : an exaggerated reaction to or preoccupation with a subject or situation c : a group of obviously related units of which the degree and nature of the relationship is imperfectly known d : the sum of factors (as symptoms) characterizing a disease or condition
3
: a chemical association of two or more species (as ions or molecules) joined usually by weak electrostatic bonds rather than covalent bonds
4
: a building or group of buildings housing related units <an apartment complex> <a sports complex>
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Origin of COMPLEX
Late Latin complexus totality, from Latin, embrace, from complecti
Related to COMPLEX
- Synonyms
- facility, establishment, installation
Other Chemical Engineering Terms
Rhymes with COMPLEX
2complex
adjective com·plex \käm-ˈpleks, kəm-ˈ, ˈkäm-ˌ\
: having parts that connect or go together in complicated ways
: not easy to understand or explain : not simple
grammar : consisting of a main clause and one or more additional clauses
Full Definition of COMPLEX
1
2
: hard to separate, analyze, or solve
3
: of, concerned with, being, or containing complex numbers <a complex root> <complex analysis>
— com·plex·ly adverb
— com·plex·ness noun
See complex defined for English-language learners
Origin of COMPLEX
Latin complexus, past participle of complecti to embrace, comprise (a multitude of objects), from com- + plectere to braid — more at ply
First Known Use: 1645
Related to COMPLEX
- Synonyms
- baroque, byzantine, complicate, complicated, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, intricate, involute, involved, knotty, labyrinthian, labyrinthine, sophisticated, tangled
- Antonyms
- noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple, uncomplicated
Synonym Discussion of COMPLEX
complex, complicated, intricate, involved, knotty mean having confusingly interrelated parts. complex suggests the unavoidable result of a necessary combining and does not imply a fault or failure <a complex recipe>. complicated applies to what offers great difficulty in understanding, solving, or explaining <complicated legal procedures>. intricate suggests such interlacing of parts as to make it nearly impossible to follow or grasp them separately <an intricate web of deceit>. involved implies extreme complication and often disorder <a rambling, involved explanation>. knotty suggests complication and entanglement that make solution or understanding improbable <knotty ethical questions>.
3complex
verb com·plex \same as 2\
Definition of COMPLEX
transitive verb
1
: to make complex or into a complex
First Known Use of COMPLEX
1658
Related to COMPLEX
- Synonyms
- complicate, complexify, embarrass, entangle, perplex, sophisticate
- Antonyms
- simplify, streamline
COMPLEX[1] Defined for Kids
complex
adjective com·plex \käm-ˈpleks, kəm-ˈpleks, ˈkäm-ˌpleks\
Definition of COMPLEX for Kids
1
: not easy to understand or explain : not simple <complex instructions>
2
: having parts that go together in complicated ways <a complex invention>
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