Byzantine — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈbi-zᵊn-ˌtēn/ Byz·an·tine

Meaning & Definition of Byzantine

Byzantine (adjective)

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the ancient city of Byzantium
  2. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a style of architecture developed in the Byzantine Empire especially in the fifth and sixth centuries featuring the dome carried on pendentives over a square and incrustation with marble veneering and with colored mosaics on grounds of gold
  3. of or relating to the churches using a traditional Greek rite and subject to Eastern canon law

Byzantine (noun)

  1. a native or inhabitant of Byzantium

Byzantine (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated

    "spent his first year at the Pentagon just trying to fathom its byzantine workings"

    similar: baroque, complex, complicate, complicated, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, intricate, involute, involved, knotty, labyrinthian, labyrinthine, sophisticated, tangled
    related: overcomplex, overcomplicated, composite, compound, heterogeneous, mixed, multibranched, multifaceted, multifarious, multipart, varied, challenging, difficult, tough, impenetrable, incomprehensible, inexplicable, Kafkaesque, unfathomable, unintelligible
    opposite: noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple, uncomplicated
    near: oversimplified, simplified, simplistic, homogeneous, uniform, unvaried

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Byzantine

The most common words with a similar meaning to Byzantine:

baroque, complex, complicate, complicated, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, intricate, involute, involved, knotty, labyrinthian, labyrinthine, sophisticated, tangled

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Byzantine

Words with the opposite meaning of Byzantine:

noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple, uncomplicated

Related Words for Byzantine

overcomplex, overcomplicated, composite, compound, heterogeneous, mixed, multibranched, multifaceted, multifarious, multipart, varied, challenging, difficult, tough, impenetrable, incomprehensible, inexplicable, Kafkaesque, unfathomable, unintelligible

Near Antonyms of Byzantine

oversimplified, simplified, simplistic, homogeneous, uniform, unvaried

Origin & Etymology of Byzantine

First known use: 1651

Frequently Asked Questions about Byzantine

What does "Byzantine" mean?

"Byzantine" means of, relating to, or characteristic of the ancient city of Byzantium. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: of, relating to, or characteristic of the ancient city of Byzantium.

What is another word for "Byzantine"?

Other words for "Byzantine" include baroque, complex, complicate, complicated, convoluted, daedal, elaborate and intricate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Byzantine" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Byzantine"?

There are 35 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Byzantine". Common alternatives include baroque, complex, complicate, complicated, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, intricate, involute and involved.

What is the opposite of "Byzantine"?

Antonyms of "Byzantine" include noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple and uncomplicated. Near antonyms include oversimplified, simplified, simplistic and homogeneous.

How do you use "Byzantine" in a sentence?

Examples of "Byzantine" in a sentence: "spent his first year at the Pentagon just trying to fathom its byzantine workings".

Is "Byzantine" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Byzantine" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Byzantine"?

"Byzantine" is pronounced /ˈbi-zᵊn-ˌtēn/ and divided into syllables as Byz·an·tine.

What is the origin of the word "Byzantine"?

First known use: 1651.