convoluted
gb/kˈɑnvəlˌutɪd/ us/kˈɑnvəlˌutɪd/
C1
English
bonyolult, túlbonyolított, körülményes, kanyargós, tekervényes, kanyarulatos, redőzött
C1
1
bonyolult
B1
Usage pattern:
[plan/story/explanation/argument] is convoluted
The report is so convoluted that I had to read it twice to understand the main point.
A jelentés annyira bonyolult, hogy kétszer kellett elolvasnom, mire megértettem a lényegét.
Her explanation became increasingly convoluted as she tried to justify the decision.
A magyarázata egyre bonyolultabbá vált, ahogy próbálta megindokolni a döntést.
The movie’s timeline is convoluted, but it makes sense by the end.
Learner examples
The instructions are convoluted.
Az utasítások bonyolultak.
This story is too convoluted for me.
Ez a történet nekem túl bonyolult.
Common mistake:
Often confused with 'convenient' or misspelled as *convuluted*.
Meaning
very complex and hard to follow
Collocations
a convoluted explanation
|a convoluted argument
|convoluted reasoning
|a convoluted plot
|convoluted logic
|a convoluted story
|convoluted language
|convoluted instructions
|a convoluted process
|a convoluted sentence
Synonyms
complicated (More general; less negative about the style.)
|
complex (Often more neutral or positive than 'convoluted'.)
|
byzantine (Suggests extreme complexity, especially in systems or rules.)
Antonyms
straightforward (Easy to understand and follow.)
|
clear (Easy to understand; not confusing.)
Themes
communication
|education
|writing
|thinking
Definition
very complicated and difficult to understand.
So complicated in structure or reasoning that it is difficult to understand or follow.
C1
2
körülményes
B2
Usage pattern:
[solution/procedure/system] is convoluted
The onboarding process is convoluted and could be reduced to three steps.
A beléptetési folyamat túlbonyolított, pedig három lépésre is le lehetne egyszerűsíteni.
They came up with a convoluted workaround instead of fixing the real issue.
A valódi probléma kijavítása helyett egy túlbonyolított kerülőmegoldással álltak elő.
It’s a convoluted way to pay a bill—why not just use the app?
Learner examples
This is a convoluted way to do it.
Ez egy körülményes módja annak, hogy ezt megcsináljuk.
Common mistake:
Learners may miss the negative judgment and use it where 'complex' is neutral.
Meaning
unnecessarily complicated; overcomplicated
Collocations
a needlessly convoluted process
|an unnecessarily convoluted system
|an overly convoluted procedure
|a convoluted workaround
|a convoluted approval chain
|a convoluted method
|a convoluted explanation
|a convoluted solution
|a convoluted set of rules
|a convoluted bureaucracy
Synonyms
needlessly complicated (Directly emphasizes there is no good reason for the complexity.)
|
overengineered (Often used for designs/systems that are too complex for the problem.)
Antonyms
simple (Not complicated; minimal steps or parts.)
|
efficient (Achieves results without unnecessary complexity.)
Themes
business
|problem_solving
|communication
Definition
too complicated when it doesn’t need to be.
Made more complicated than necessary, often in a way that seems indirect or inefficient.
C1
3
kanyargós
B1
tekervényes
C1
Usage pattern:
a convoluted [route/path/road/track]
We took a convoluted route through side streets to avoid the traffic.
A forgalom elkerülésére mellékutcákon át egy kanyargós útvonalat választottunk.
The old building has a convoluted set of corridors that are easy to get lost in.
A régi épületben tekervényes folyosórendszer van, amelyben könnyű eltévedni.
The river follows a convoluted course across the valley.
Learner examples
The road is convoluted.
Az út kanyargós.
Common mistake:
In this sense it refers to physical shape/route, not difficulty of understanding.
Meaning
full of twists and turns
Collocations
a convoluted route
|a convoluted path
|a convoluted road
|a convoluted coastline
|a convoluted track
|a convoluted corridor
|a convoluted passageway
|a convoluted trail
|a convoluted boundary
|a convoluted river
Synonyms
winding (Common and natural for roads/paths.)
|
twisting (Suggests sharper turns and movement.)
|
tortuous (More formal; can suggest difficulty as well as many turns.)
Antonyms
straight (Without bends or turns.)
|
direct (Going to a destination without detours.)
Themes
travel
|geography
|daily_life
Definition
not straight; it turns many times.
Having many twists, turns, or irregular curves; winding rather than straight.
C2
TECHNICAL
4
kanyarulatos
C2
redőzött
C1
Usage pattern:
the convoluted [brain/cortex/intestines/tubules]
The mammalian brain has a convoluted cortex with many folds.
Az emlősök agykérge erősen redőzött, számos redővel.
The diagram labels the convoluted tubules within the organ.
Az ábra megjelöli a szerven belüli kanyarulatos csatornácskákat.
Some species have a less convoluted brain surface than others.
Common mistake:
Outside science writing, this meaning is uncommon; most uses are figurative (complex/difficult).
Meaning
folded with many curves
Collocations
convoluted cortex
|a convoluted surface
|convoluted tubules
|a convoluted structure
|convoluted folds
|convoluted glands
|convoluted intestines
|highly convoluted
|densely convoluted
|convoluted membranes
Synonyms
folded (More general; does not necessarily suggest intricate coiling.)
|
coiled (Emphasizes a spiral or winding arrangement.)
Antonyms
smooth (Without folds or many curves.)
|
unfolded (Not folded; laid out flat.)
Themes
biology
|medicine
|science
Definition
having many folds or curves (used in biology/medicine).
Having many folds or coil-like curves, especially of an organ or biological structure.
Grammar
Dictionary form
convoluted
IPA
GB/kˈɑnvəlˌutɪd/
US/kˈɑnvəlˌutɪd/
Syllables & stress
con - vo - luted (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: convoluted
Word family
Advanced or less common
convolution
noun
convolve
verb
Expressions
a convoluted way of doing something
1/ə kˈɑnvəlˌutɪd wˈeɪ əv dˈuɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
an indirect, overcomplicated method
a way that is too complicated.
Examples
- Using three different apps is a convoluted way of tracking your expenses.
- It’s a convoluted way of solving the problem when a simple reset would work.
- Printing the form and scanning it back in is a convoluted way of submitting it.
Learner examples
- That’s a convoluted way of doing it.
in a convoluted way
1/ˈɪn ə kˈɑnvəlˌutɪd wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
in an overly complex manner
using a very complicated way.
Examples
- He answered the question in a convoluted way and confused everyone.
- The policy is described in a convoluted way that makes it hard to apply.
- She told the story in a convoluted way, jumping back and forth in time.
Learner examples
- Please don’t explain it in a convoluted way.