complex

Complex is part of the Academic Word List. It is important for students in college and university.

Pronunciation

adjective

• enPR: kəmplĕks' or kŏm'plĕks
• (UK) IPA: /kəmˈplɛks/ or /ˈkɒmplɛks/, SAMPA: /k@m"plEks/ or /"kQmplEks/
• (US) IPA: /kəmˈplɛks/ or /ˈkɑmplɛks/, SAMPA: /k@m"plEks/ or /"kAmplEks/
•  Audio (UK)^{help, file}
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

noun

• enPR: kŏm'plĕks
• (UK) IPA: /ˈkɒmplɛks/, SAMPA: /"kQmplEks/
• (US) IPA: /ˈkɑmplɛks/, SAMPA: /"kAmplEks/
•  Audio (UK)^{help, file}
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

Adjective

Positive complex

Comparative more complex

Superlative most complex

1. Complex means to have lots of parts or pieces.

   He has constructed a complex computer system to send translated messages between humans and dolphins.

   A complex problem that we face today is poverty, especially in Africa.

Synonyms

• complicated

Antonyms

• simple

Noun

Singular complex

Plural complexes

1. A problem.
2. A group of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.
3. A psychologically based dislike or fear of a particular thing.

   Jim has a complex about working for a woman boss.

4. A thunderstorm that forms when two storm fronts collide.
5. (chemistry) A structure with a central atom or molecule that has a weak connection to atoms or molecules around it.

Related words

• complexity
• complexness
• complexly