1
general::
adj. VERBS be, look, seem, sound It all sounds very complicated. | become, get This is where the story gets complicated. ADV. extraordinarily, extremely, fiendishly, highly, immensely, incredibly, particularly, terribly, very | increasingly | a bit, fairly, a little, quite, rather, somewhat | unnecessarily
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
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
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