complicated

[ kom-pli-key-tid ]
/ ˈkɒm plɪˌkeɪ tɪd /

adjective

composed of elaborately interconnected parts; complex: complicated apparatus for measuring brain functions.
difficult to analyze, understand, explain, etc.: a complicated problem.

Origin of complicated

First recorded in 1640–50; complicate + -ed2

OTHER WORDS FROM complicated

com·pli·cat·ed·ly, adverb com·pli·cat·ed·ness, noun un·com·pli·cat·ed, adjective

Definition for complicated (2 of 2)

complicate
[ verb kom-pli-keyt; adjective kom-pli-kit ]
/ verb ˈkɒm plɪˌkeɪt; adjective ˈkɒm plɪ kɪt /

verb (used with object), com·pli·cat·ed, com·pli·cat·ing.

to make complex, intricate, involved, or difficult: His recovery from the operation was complicated by an allergic reaction.

adjective

complex; involved.
Entomology. folded longitudinally one or more times, as the wings of certain insects.

Origin of complicate

1615–25; < Latin complicātus (past participle of complicāre to fold together), equivalent to com- com- + -plic- (combining form of *plecāre to fold, akin to plectī to plait; see complex) + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM complicate

o·ver·com·pli·cate, verb (used with object), o·ver·com·pli·cat·ed, o·ver·com·pli·cat·ing. pre·com·pli·cate, verb (used with object), pre·com·pli·cat·ed, pre·com·pli·cat·ing. re·com·pli·cate, verb (used with object), re·com·pli·cat·ed, re·com·pli·cat·ing. un·com·pli·cate, verb (used with object), un·com·pli·cat·ed, un·com·pli·cat·ing.

Example sentences from the Web for complicated

British Dictionary definitions for complicated (1 of 2)

complicated
/ (ˈkɒmplɪˌkeɪtɪd) /

adjective

made up of intricate parts or aspects that are difficult to understand or analyse

Derived forms of complicated

complicatedly, adverb complicatedness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for complicated (2 of 2)

complicate

verb (ˈkɒmplɪˌkeɪt)

to make or become complex

adjective (ˈkɒmplɪkɪt)

biology folded on itself a complicate leaf
a less common word for complicated

Word Origin for complicate

C17: from Latin complicāre to fold together, from plicāre to fold