intricate

/ˈɪn.trɪ.kət/

Say it: IN-tri-kit

1. adjective Having many complexly interrelated parts, details, or elements.
The antique clock had an intricate mechanism of tiny gears and springs.
2. adjective Difficult to follow or understand due to complexity.
She tried to explain the intricate rules of the ancient board game.

📖 Seen in the wild

The watchmaker carefully assembled the intricate gears of the antique timepiece.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ intricate in a sentence

The spider spun an intricate web between the branches.
Negotiating the peace treaty was an intricate process that took months.
Her shawl was decorated with an intricate pattern of hand-stitched flowers.
The legal argument was too intricate for the jury to follow easily.
He admired the intricate carvings on the temple doors.
Understanding the intricate network of global supply chains is essential for economists.
The novel's plot was an intricate tapestry of betrayal and redemption.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

complex complicated elaborate convoluted tangled involved baroque labyrinthine

complex · suggests something has many parts, but not necessarily that they are difficult to understand.

complicated · implies a level of difficulty or confusion that makes something hard to deal with or solve.

elaborate · emphasizes richness of detail and careful, often decorative, construction.

convoluted · often carries a negative sense of being unnecessarily complex or twisted.

Opposites: simple, straightforward, plain, uncomplicated, basic

🌱 Where it comes from

The word 'intricate' comes from the Latin 'intricatus', the past participle of 'intricare', which means 'to entangle' or 'to perplex'. This verb is formed from 'in-' (in) and 'tricae' (perplexities, trifles, tricks). When it entered English in the 15th century, it carried this core idea of being tangled up, a meaning that has remained central to its use today.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

intricate designintricate patternintricate detailsintricate networkintricate webintricate process

'Intricate' is a neutral to slightly formal word that highlights a high degree of detail and complexity, often in a way that inspires admiration. While similar to 'complicated', 'intricate' focuses more on the fine, interconnected details, whereas 'complicated' often implies difficulty or problems. Reserve 'intricate' for things whose parts are genuinely woven together in a complex way, not just for anything that is merely 'detailed'.

Word family: intricacy, intricately

💬 Quick answers

What does intricate mean?

Intricate describes something with many small, interconnected parts or details, making it complex and often impressive.

What is the difference between intricate and complicated?

Intricate emphasizes the fine, interwoven details of something, like a lace pattern. Complicated suggests something is difficult to understand or deal with, often due to confusing or problematic elements.

Is intricate a positive or negative word?

It is generally neutral or positive. It is often used to admire skilled work, such as an intricate design, or to describe a sophisticated system.

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