multifaceted

/ˌmʌltiˈfæsɪtɪd/

Say it: muhl-tee-FAS-i-tid

1. adjective Having many different aspects, features, or abilities.
She is a multifaceted artist, excelling as a painter, sculptor, and musician.
2. adjective Having many flat surfaces or facets, like a cut gemstone.
The multifaceted diamond glittered under the showroom lights.

📖 Seen in the wild

The novel's protagonist was a multifaceted character with both admirable and flawed traits.
collected by @vocablast

✏️ multifaceted in a sentence

The economic crisis is a multifaceted problem that requires a coordinated global response.
His multifaceted career included stints as a journalist, a diplomat, and a university professor.
We need a multifaceted approach to security, combining technology with community engagement.
The character was not a simple villain but a multifaceted individual with a complex backstory.
The museum's collection is multifaceted, covering everything from ancient pottery to modern art.
Her personality is multifaceted; she can be intensely focused at work but incredibly playful with her friends.

🔁 Synonyms & antonyms

complex versatile many-sided diverse varied multi-talented eclectic

complex · suggests intricacy and a high degree of difficulty to understand.

versatile · emphasizes having many different skills or practical uses.

many-sided · a more direct and slightly less formal synonym.

Opposites: one-dimensional, simple, uncomplicated, uniform, specialized

🌱 Where it comes from

The word comes directly from its two parts: the Latin prefix 'multi-', meaning 'many', and 'faceted', from the French 'facette' meaning 'little face'. It was first used in the 1800s to describe gemstones with many cut surfaces, and its figurative meaning for complex issues or people developed soon after.

🧩 How it's used

Common patterns:

multifaceted problemmultifaceted approachmultifaceted personalitymultifaceted issuemultifaceted career

Multifaceted is a strong, positive word used to describe something with depth and variety. It's more formal than 'many-sided' but appropriate for most professional and academic writing. While it can describe anything with multiple aspects, it is most commonly applied to people, problems, and strategic approaches, suggesting a richness that goes beyond mere complexity.

Word family: facet, multifacetedness

💬 Quick answers

What does multifaceted mean?

Multifaceted means having many different aspects, features, or sides. It's used to describe complex things like problems, personalities, or plans, often suggesting richness and depth.

What is the difference between multifaceted and complex?

While both describe things with many parts, 'multifaceted' often highlights a variety of distinct sides, suggesting versatility. 'Complex' focuses more on the intricate and often difficult relationship between those parts.

Is multifaceted a positive word?

Yes, it generally has a positive connotation. Calling a person multifaceted is a compliment to their range of skills or interests, and a multifaceted plan is seen as thorough and well-considered.

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