# complicated

/ˈkɑmpɫəˌkeɪtəd/ (US) · /kˈɒmplɪkˌeɪtɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/complicated
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. difficult or complex

adjective · CEFR B1

hard to understand or solve because it is not simple.

For teachers: consisting of many intricate parts or aspects that make something difficult to understand, explain, or deal with.

- The instructions for the new coffee machine were very complicated and hard to follow.
- The legal dispute became increasingly complicated as more witnesses came forward with conflicting accounts of the incident.

### 3. folded wings

adjective · CEFR C2 · Technical

a word used in science to describe insect wings that are folded lengthwise.

For teachers: describing insect wings that are folded longitudinally when at rest.

- The scientist noted that the beetle had complicated wings tucked under its shell.
- In certain orders of insects, the complicated wing structure allows for efficient storage beneath the protective elytra.

Usage: Used primarily in entomology to describe structural morphology.

## Examples

- The instructions for the new game are very complicated.
- The legal case became more complicated when several new witnesses came forward with conflicting stories.
- While the basic premise of the theory is easy to grasp, the mathematical proofs supporting it are incredibly complicated and require years of specialized study to verify.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.