com‧pli‧cat‧ed S2 / kɒmpləkeɪtəd, kɒmplɪkeɪtəd $ kɑm- / 形容词
1 difficult to understand or deal with, because many parts or details are involved 同义词 complex :
a complicated voting system
For young children, getting dressed is a complicated business.
very/extremely/immensely/highly etc complicated
Mental illness is a very complicated subject.
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In written English, people often use complex rather than complicated , because it sounds more formal:
The problem is very complex .
2 consisting of many closely connected parts 同义词 complex :
a complicated pattern
The human brain is an incredibly complicated organ.
THESAURUS
complicated consisting of a lot of different parts or details and therefore difficult to understand : The rules of the game seemed very complicated. | I didn’t realize programming the VCR would be so complicated. | The brain is like a very powerful, very complicated computer. | a complicated issue
complex a complex process, relationship etc is difficult to understand because it has a lot of parts that are all connected in different ways : The chemical processes involved are extremely complex. | the complex relationship between government and the media
elaborate having a lot of parts or details and very carefully planned, but often more complicated than is necessary : Mike had worked out an elaborate system for categorizing his collection of DVDs. | The plan to kidnap her had become even more elaborate. | Sociologists have been coming up with increasingly elaborate theories to explain unsafe sexual practices.
involved very long and complicated – use this especially about something that you think should be made simpler : The system for choosing candidates is very involved, and I won’t go into it here. | Adopting a child can be a long involved process.
convoluted too complicated and difficult to understand – used especially about someone’s language or arguments, or about a system : convoluted sentences | Procedures for government funding have become more convoluted. | James’s books are full of long paragraphs and convoluted sentences, which many people do not find appealing.
intricate having a lot of small parts or details – used especially about something that is cleverly designed or made : Lasers are used to cut intricate designs in the metal. | The farmers use an intricate system of drainage canals. | the intricate workings of a watch | intricate patterns of coloured marble