Word
complicate
Phoneticscom·pli·cate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkɑmpɫəˌkeɪt/
UK/kˈɒmplɪkˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to make something more difficult to do, understand, or deal with. You use this when a situation becomes less simple because of new problems.
v. to make something more intricate, involved, or difficult to resolve. Often describes the introduction of new factors that hinder a process or diagnosis.
Examples
“Adding more rules will only complicate the game.”
“The patient's existing heart condition may complicate the upcoming surgery and require a longer recovery period.”
“The legal team warned that introducing a second witness at this late stage would likely complicate the trial and delay the final verdict by several months.”
Examples
simple
“Adding more rules will only complicate the game.”
contextual
“The patient's existing heart condition may complicate the upcoming surgery and require a longer recovery period.”
complex
“The legal team warned that introducing a second witness at this late stage would likely complicate the trial and delay the final verdict by several months.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “complicate” in context.
Verb
01. complicate the process for
“The new regulations will complicate the process for small business owners.”
verb + noun + prep
02. further complicate the matter
“The lack of clear evidence will further complicate the matter for the investigators.”
adv + verb
03. tend to complicate
“People tend to complicate simple instructions by overthinking them.”
verb + infinitive
Adverb
04. greatly complicate
“The sudden change in weather will greatly complicate our travel plans.”
adv + verb
05. seriously complicate
“A lack of funding could seriously complicate the completion of the project.”
adv + verb
06. unnecessarily complicate
“There is no need to unnecessarily complicate the design with extra features.”
adv + verb
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; it is often used in the passive voice to describe a situation ('it is complicated').
Pitfall
This will complicate to the situation
This will complicate the situation
Complicate is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'to' before its object.
Real-World Examples
“They are incomplete, which complicates matters somewhat, but skilled anatomists can be reasonably confident about the complete bone sizes.” “Complicating estimates, but improving the overall picture, is new technology such as onboard automatic start-stop systems in modern vehicles.” Etymology
First attested in the early 17ᵗʰ century; borrowed from Latin complicātus, perfect passive participle of complicō (“to fold together”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from con- (“together”) + plicō (“to fold, weave, knit”); see plaid, and compare complex. See also Middle English complicate (“involved”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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