complicate

[ verb kom-pli-keyt; adjective kom-pli-kit ]

verb (used with object)

, com·pli·cat·ed, com·pli·cat·ing.

1. to make complex, intricate, involved, or difficult:

   His recovery from the operation was complicated by an allergic reaction.

adjective

1. complex; involved.
2. Entomology. folded longitudinally one or more times, as the wings of certain insects.

complicate

verb

1. to make or become complex

adjective

1. biology folded on itself

   a complicate leaf

2. a less common word for complicated

Other Words From

• o·ver·com·pli·cate verb (used with object) overcomplicated overcomplicating
• pre·com·pli·cate verb (used with object) precomplicated precomplicating
• re·com·pli·cate verb (used with object) recomplicated recomplicating
• un·com·pli·cate verb (used with object) uncomplicated uncomplicating

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicate¹

1615–25; < Latin complicātus (past participle of complicāre to fold together), equivalent to com- com- + -plic- (combining form of *plecāre to fold, akin to plectī to plait; complex ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicate¹

C17: from Latin complicāre to fold together, from plicāre to fold

Related Words

• convolute
• impede
• involve
• muddle
• obscure
• perplex
• upset