Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

complicate

Pronunciation: /ˈkɒmplɪkeɪt/
Translate complicate | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of complicate

verb

[with object]
  • make (something) more complicated:increased choice will complicate matters for the consumer (as adjective complicating)a complicating factor
  • Medicine introduce complications in (an existing condition):smoking may complicate pregnancy (as adjective complicating)patients with complicating biliary calculi

Origin:

early 17th century (in the sense 'combine, entangle, intertwine'): from Latin complicat- 'folded together', from the verb complicare, from com- 'together' + plicare 'to fold'

complicate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of complicate in the US English dictionary
  |  Cite
Oxford Dictionaries Pro

For Oxford's best resources for writers, plus thesaurus, audio, and 1.9m examples.

Shop for an Oxford dictionary

Find the perfect Oxford dictionary for you in our online shop.
SHOP NOW ►

Word of the day

monocular

/ məˈnɒkjʊlə /
adjective , noun
with, for, or in one eye …