• (British) IPA: /kəmˈplɛks/, /ˈkɒm.plɛks/
  • (America) enPR kəmplĕks; IPA: /kəmˈplɛks/, /ˈkɑmplɛks/
  • (British) IPA: /ˈkɒm.plɛks/
  • (America) enPR: kŏm'plĕks, IPA: /ˈkɑmplɛks/

complex (comparative complexer, superlative complexest)

  1. Made up of multiple parts; composite; not simple.
    a complex being; a complex idea
      Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe.
  2. Not simple, easy, or straightforward; complicated.
    • When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is difficult and complex.
  3. (mathematics) Of a number, of the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is a square root of −1.
    complex function
  4. (geometry) A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.
Synonyms Antonyms Related terms Translations Translations Translations
  • French: complexe
  • Portuguese: complexo
  • Russian: ко́мплексный
  • Spanish: complexo

complex (plural complexes)

  1. A problem. rfclarify en
  2. A network of interconnected systems.
    military-industrial complex
  4. An assemblage of related things; a collection.
    • This parable of the wedding supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel.
    1. An organized cluster of thunderstorms.
    2. (taxonomy) A group of closely related species, often distinguished only with difficulty by traditional morphological methods.
  5. (psychoanalysis) An abnormal mental condition caused by repressed emotions.
  6. (informal, by extension) A vehement, often excessive psychological dislike or fear of a particular thing.
    Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss.
  7. (chemistry) A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules.
  8. (math) A complex number.
Translations Translations Translations Verb

complex (complexes, present participle complexing; past and past participle complexed)

  1. (chemistry, intransitive) To form a complex with another substance
  2. (transitive) To complicate.

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