complex
♦♦ com|plex /k'ɒmpleks/ (complexes)
The adjective is pronounced /kəmpl'eks/in American English.
1 [ADJ]
Something that is complex has many different parts, and is therefore often difficult to understand.
...in-depth coverage of today's complex issues.
...a complex system of voting.
...her complex personality.
...complex machines.
= complicated
≠ simple
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
In grammar, a complex sentence contains one or more subordinate clauses as well as a main clause. Compare compound.
3 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A complex is a group of buildings designed for a particular purpose, or one large building divided into several smaller areas.
...plans for constructing a new stadium and leisure complex.
...a complex of offices and flats.
4 [N-COUNT]
If someone has a complex about something, they have a mental or emotional problem relating to it, often because of an unpleasant experience in the past.
I have never had a complex about my height.
...a deranged attacker, driven by a persecution complex.
see also guilt complex, inferiority complexguilt com|plex (guilt complexes)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that someone has a guilt complex about something, you mean that they feel very guilty about it, in a way that you consider is exaggerated, unreasonable, or unnecessary.in|fe|ri|or|ity com|plex (inferiority complexes)
[N-COUNT]
Someone who has an inferiority complex feels that they are of less worth or importance than other people.Oedipus com|plex /'iːdɪpəs kɒmpleks/
[N-SING]
If a boy or man has an Oedipus complex, he feels sexual desire for his mother and has hostile feelings towards his father.
The adjective is pronounced /kəmpl'eks/in American English.
1 [ADJ]
Something that is complex has many different parts, and is therefore often difficult to understand.
...in-depth coverage of today's complex issues.
...a complex system of voting.
...her complex personality.
...complex machines.
= complicated
≠ simple
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
In grammar, a complex sentence contains one or more subordinate clauses as well as a main clause. Compare compound.
3 [N-COUNT] usu with supp
A complex is a group of buildings designed for a particular purpose, or one large building divided into several smaller areas.
...plans for constructing a new stadium and leisure complex.
...a complex of offices and flats.
4 [N-COUNT]
If someone has a complex about something, they have a mental or emotional problem relating to it, often because of an unpleasant experience in the past.
I have never had a complex about my height.
...a deranged attacker, driven by a persecution complex.
see also guilt complex, inferiority complexguilt com|plex (guilt complexes)
[N-COUNT]
If you say that someone has a guilt complex about something, you mean that they feel very guilty about it, in a way that you consider is exaggerated, unreasonable, or unnecessary.in|fe|ri|or|ity com|plex (inferiority complexes)
[N-COUNT]
Someone who has an inferiority complex feels that they are of less worth or importance than other people.Oedipus com|plex /'iːdɪpəs kɒmpleks/
[N-SING]
If a boy or man has an Oedipus complex, he feels sexual desire for his mother and has hostile feelings towards his father.