Intricate

Very complicated or detailed; having many interrelated parts.

adjective

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Imagine This

Imagine a lace doily or a cathedral's stained-glass pattern where every thread or piece interlocks with dozens of others, forming a complex, mesmerizing design.

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Sounds Like

IN-trih-kət

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Looks Like

Similar to the word 'intricacy' in spelling and to the root 'intricate'.

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Remember This

From Latin intricatus meaning entangled; used to describe patterns, systems, or plots that require careful attention to understand.

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Other Forms

intricacynoun

intricatelyadverb

intricatenessnoun

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Connect With

complex, elaborate, ornate, convoluted, tangled

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Note

Use for things that are complex or delicately detailed. Do not use for simple or straightforward ideas. The noun forms include intricacy and intricateness; the adverb form is intricately.

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Study Deeper

Examples

The mosaic's intricate pattern features thousands of tiny glass tiles arranged in a delicate, interwoven design.
The plot was so intricate that a diagram was needed to track each character's motive and clue.

Synonyms

complexcomplicatedconvolutedelaborateornate

Antonyms

simpleplainuncomplicated

Etymology

From Latin intricatus 'entangled', from intricare 'to entangle' (in- 'in' + tricare 'to entangle').

Mnemonic

IN-TRI-CATE: Picture yourself stepping into a maze of interwoven threads and tricks; to untangle it you must see through the intricate pattern.

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