Definitions for complex
kəmˈplɛks, ˈkɒm plɛks; ˈkɒm plɛkscom·plex

Princeton's WordNet(4.26 / 8 votes)Rate this definition:

1. complex, compositenoun

   a conceptual whole made up of complicated and related parts

   "the complex of shopping malls, houses, and roads created a new town"

2. complex, coordination compoundnoun

   a compound described in terms of the central atom to which other atoms are bound or coordinated

3. complexnoun

   (psychoanalysis) a combination of emotions and impulses that have been rejected from awareness but still influence a person's behavior

4. building complex, complexadjective

   a whole structure (as a building) made up of interconnected or related structures

5. complexadjective

   complicated in structure; consisting of interconnected parts

   "a complex set of variations based on a simple folk melody"; "a complex mass of diverse laws and customs"

Wiktionary(3.60 / 10 votes)Rate this definition:

1. complexnoun

   A problem.

2. complexnoun

   A collection of buildings with a common purpose, such as a university or military base.

3. complexnoun

   A psychologically based dislike or fear of a particular thing.

   Jim has a real complex about working for a woman boss.

4. complexnoun

   A thunderstorm that forms when two storm fronts collide.

5. complexnoun

   A structure consisting of a central atom or molecule weakly connected to surrounding atoms or molecules.

6. complexverb

   To form a complex with another substance

7. complexadjective

   Made up of multiple parts; intricate or detailed.

8. complexadjective

   Not simple or straightforward.

9. complexadjective

   Of a number, of the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is the square root of 1.

10. complexadjective

    A curve, polygon or other figure that crosses or intersects itself.

11. Etymology: From complexe, from complexus, past participle of complecti, from com- and plectere. See complect.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. COMPLEXadjective

   Composite; of many parts; not simple; including many particulars

   Etymology: complexus, Latin.

   Ideas made up of several simple ones, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, the universe; which though complicated of various simple ideas, or complex ideas made up of simple ones, yet are considered each by itself as one. John Locke.

   A secondary essential mode, called a property, sometimes goes toward making up the essence of a complex being. Isaac Watts.

   With such perfection fram’d,
   Is this complex stupendous scheme of things. James Thomson, Spring.

2. Complexnoun

   Complication; collection.

   Etymology: from the adjective.

   This parable of the wedding-supper comprehends in it the whole complex of all the blessings and privileges exhibited by the gospel. Robert South, Sermons.

Webster Dictionary(2.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Complexnoun

   composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a complex being; a complex idea

2. Complexnoun

   involving many parts; complicated; intricate

3. Complexnoun

   assemblage of related things; collection; complication

4. Etymology: [L. complexus]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Complex

   kom′pleks, adj. composed of more than one, or of many parts: not simple: intricate: difficult.—n. a complex whole.—v.t. to complicate.—ns. Complex′edness, Com′plexness, Complex′ity, state of being complex: complication.—adv. Com′plexly.—n. Complex′us, a complicated system: a large muscle of the back, passing from the spine to the head. [L. complex—com, together, and root of plicāre, to fold. See Complicate.]

Matched Categories

1. • Compound
   • Feeling
   • Psychoanalysis
   • Whole

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'complex' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1404

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'complex' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2988

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'complex' in Nouns Frequency: #1447

4. Adjectives Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'complex' in Adjectives Frequency: #169

How to pronounce complex?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say complex in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of complex in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of complex in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of complex in a Sentence

1. Spanish Socialist Pedro Sanchez:

   I am aware of the responsibility I am assuming, of the complex political moment our country is going through and I will rise to all the challenges with humility and dedication, i am willing to modernize and transform the country and to attend to the urgent social issues of the many people who suffer ...inequality.

2. Pierre Bourdage:

   With this agreement, we hope to build on our MS experience with small molecules and complex generics and ultimately provide patients with expanded access to a (disease-modifying treatment) that healthcare systems may otherwise not be able to provide.

3. Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber:

   We are faced with a complex investigation with many international implications, the world of football needs to be patient. By its nature, this investigation will take more than the legendary 90 minutes.

4. Tim Skates:

   More complex and more large-scale products are always reliant on some form of relationship management and negotiation.

5. Albert Einstein:

   Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... it takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage -- to move in the opposite direction.

Popularity rank by frequency of use