Word
intricate
Phoneticsin·tri·cate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪntɹəkət/
UK/ˈɪntɹɪkət/
Definitions
01highly detailed
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having many small, complicated parts or details that work together.
adj. characterized by a high degree of complexity and fine detail; often used to describe physical patterns or abstract systems.
“The watch has an intricate design with hundreds of tiny moving parts.”
“The novelist spent years developing an intricate plot where every minor character eventually played a crucial role in the resolution.”
02difficult to resolve
C1 · Advanced Archaic · Literary
adj. very difficult to understand or solve because it is so complicated.
adj. difficult to disentangle, resolve, or interpret due to inherent obscurity or complexity.
“The legal case became so intricate that it took years to reach a final decision.”
“The diplomat found himself caught in an intricate web of old rivalries and secret agreements that predated the current conflict.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The shells are still intricate and beautiful, but the colors often dull when the life inside them is gone.” “Translated from Korean, this intricate, inviting, Scarryesque picture book features a shop full of rain balloons, cloud pillows and snow sprays (and a sunshine scarf to warm everyone after the blizzard).” Etymology
From Middle English intricat(e) (“entangled, intricate”), from Latin intrīcātus, perfect passive participle of intricō, see -ate (adjective-forming suffix).
As for Etymology 1; from Latin intrīcātus, see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/intricate