French word

compliqué

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃plike/

Meaning

  • adjectivecomplicated

Example

Le problème est compliqué.

The problem is complicated.

Illustration for compliqué (complicated)

More examples

Ce projet est trop compliqué pour être fini cette semaine.

This project is too complex to be finished this week.

Core concept

Several strands of causes, details, or feelings are folded together, making a situation hard to disentangle.

Common phrases

  • problème compliqué

    complex problem

  • projet compliqué

    complex project

  • dossier compliqué

    complex case

Similar words

difficile: Difficult to accomplish or grasp without substantial effort and time.
complexe: Having many intricate elements or structures that make understanding or processing difficult.
délicat: Needing tact and care because mishandling it could create problems or embarrassment.
confus: Disorganized and unclear, with relationships between parts that are difficult to discern.

Definition in French

Qui présente des relations ou causes entrelacées, souvent utilisé pour décrire des situations humaines ou techniques difficiles à démêler.

Word origin

French compliqué comes from Latin complicare, meaning "to fold together," through its past participle complicatus.

Usage tips

  • In personal situations, "C'est compliqué" often signals reluctance to explain further as well as genuine difficulty.

Other meanings

  • confusingadjective
  • complexadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • compliquercomplicateverb
  • complicationcomplicationnoun

Word lists with this word