complex
gb/kˈɑmplɛks/ us/kˈɑmplɛks/
A2
English
~ 1300
összetett, bonyolult, komplexum, létesítményegyüttes, komplexus, koordinációs vegyület, komplexvegyület
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is complex
The tax laws are incredibly complex.
Az adótörvények hihetetlenül összetettek.
She explained a complex theory in simple terms.
Egyszerű szavakkal magyarázott el egy összetett elméletet.
Managing a large team can be a complex task.
The machine has a complex design that requires skilled technicians.
Learner examples
The game rules are complex.
A játék szabályai összetettek.
This is a complex question.
Ez egy összetett kérdés.
The story has a complex plot.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'complex' with 'complicated' without knowing that 'complex' can be neutral, while 'complicated' may sound slightly negative.
Meaning
Complicated or intricate
Collocations
complex problem
|complex system
|complex process
|complex situation
Synonyms
complicated (Very close in meaning; often interchangeable, but 'complicated' can imply unnecessary difficulty.)
Antonyms
simple (Describes something easy to understand with few parts.)
Themes
description
|thinking
|problem-solving
|core_vocabulary
|education
Definition
Having many parts that are connected in a way that makes it hard to understand.
Consisting of many different and related parts, making something difficult to understand or deal with.
NOUN
A2
2
komplexum
B2
Usage pattern:
[a] complex
They live in a large apartment complex near the park.
Egy nagy lakókomplexumban laknak a park közelében.
The sports complex includes a swimming pool and tennis courts.
A sportkomplexumhoz úszómedence és teniszpályák is tartoznak.
The new shopping complex attracts many visitors.
Learner examples
We live in an apartment complex.
Egy lakókomplexumban lakunk.
The sports complex has a big pool.
A sportkomplexumnak nagy medencéje van.
There is a new shopping complex in town.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'complex' (group of buildings) with 'complicated' (difficult).
Meaning
Connected set of buildings
Collocations
apartment complex
|sports complex
|shopping complex
Synonyms
facility (A place for a specific purpose, but not necessarily multiple connected buildings.)
Themes
places
|architecture
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A group of buildings that are used together for one purpose.
A group of buildings or facilities that are related in function or location and form a single unit.
NOUN
B2
3
komplexus
B2
Usage pattern:
have a [type] complex
He has an inferiority complex about his height.
Kisebbrendűségi komplexusa van a magassága miatt.
She developed a guilt complex after the accident.
A baleset után bűntudat-komplexus alakult ki benne.
The therapist helped him work through his complexes.
Learner examples
He has an inferiority complex.
Kisebbrendűségi komplexusa van.
She has a guilt complex.
Bűntudat-komplexusa van.
I think he has a complex about his job.
Common mistake:
Learners may misinterpret this as meaning 'complicated' rather than an emotional issue.
Meaning
Psychological emotional issue
Collocations
inferiority complex
|guilt complex
Synonyms
fixation (A persistent focus on something, though not always emotional.)
Themes
psychology
|emotions
|health
Definition
A strong feeling or worry about something that affects how you think or act.
An emotional problem or fixed idea, often about oneself, that affects behavior or thinking.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
The scientist studied the structure of the coordination complex.
A kutató a koordinációs vegyület szerkezetét tanulmányozta.
This metal complex is used in catalysis.
Ezt a fémkomplexet katalízisben használják.
Chlorophyll is a magnesium-containing complex.
Learner examples
Water is not a complex, it is a compound.
A víz nem komplexvegyület, hanem egyszerű vegyület.
The chemist made a new metal complex.
A vegyész új fémkomplexet állított elő.
A coordination complex has a central atom.
Meaning
Chemical structure of bonded units
Collocations
coordination complex
|metal complex
Synonyms
compound (A more general term for a substance made of two or more elements.)
Themes
science
|chemistry
Definition
In chemistry, a group of atoms joined around a central atom or molecule.
In chemistry, a structure consisting of a central atom or molecule bonded to surrounding molecules or ions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
complex
IPA
GB/kˈɑmplɛks/
US/kˈɑmplɛks/
Syllables & stress
com - plex (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (com)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: complex
Noun
- Base: complex
- Plural: complexes
Word family
Expressions
inferiority complex
1/ˌɪnfɪɹiˈɔɹɪti kˈɑmplɛks/
fixed phrase
Feeling less capable than others
A feeling that you are not as good as other people.
Examples
- He developed an inferiority complex after failing the exam.
- Her constant comparisons gave her an inferiority complex.
Oedipus complex
1/ˈɛdɪpəs kˈɑmplɛks/
fixed phrase
technical
Freudian theory about child-parent desire/rivalry
In psychology, when a young child feels love for the parent of the opposite sex and dislike for the parent of the same sex.
Examples
- Freud introduced the idea of the Oedipus complex.
- The novel explores themes similar to the Oedipus complex.
superiority complex
1/sˌupɪɹiˈɔɹɪti kˈɑmplɛks/
fixed phrase
unrealistic belief of superiority
A strong and often unhealthy belief that you are better than other people.
Examples
- His arrogance is due to a superiority complex.
- His constant bragging makes it clear he has a superiority complex.
- People with a superiority complex often look down on others.
- People with a superiority complex often hide deep feelings of insecurity.
- Her colleagues joked that her superiority complex was bigger than her office.