Intricate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈin-tri-kət/ in·tri·cate

Meaning & Definition of Intricate

Intricate (adjective)

  1. having many complexly interrelating parts or elements, complicated
  2. difficult to resolve or analyze

Intricate (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having many parts or aspects that are usually interrelated

    "an intricate machine that requires some training to use it properly"

    similar: baroque, byzantine, complex, complicate, complicated, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, 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

  2. made or done with great care or with much detail

    "an intricate hairstyle that requires far too much maintenance to suit my taste"

    similar: complex, complicated, detailed, elaborate, fancy, involved, sophisticated
    related: elegant, exquisite, grand, magnificent, ornate, splendid, chichi, extravagant, exuberant, fancified, flamboyant, frilly, gimmicked (up), grandiose, ostentatious, overwrought, showy, souped-up, Byzantine, convoluted, involute, involuted, labyrinthian, labyrinthine
    opposite: no-frills, simple, unfancy, unsophisticated
    near: modest, plain, plain-Jane, plain-vanilla, uncomplicated, bald, bare, naked, unadorned, undecorated, unvarnished

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Intricate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Intricate:

baroque, byzantine, complex, complicate, complicated, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, involute, involved, knotty, labyrinthian, labyrinthine, sophisticated, tangled, detailed, fancy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Intricate

Words with the opposite meaning of Intricate:

noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple, uncomplicated, no-frills, unfancy, unsophisticated

Related Words for Intricate

overcomplex, overcomplicated, composite, compound, heterogeneous, mixed, multibranched, multifaceted, multifarious, multipart, varied, challenging, difficult, tough, impenetrable, incomprehensible, inexplicable, Kafkaesque, unfathomable, unintelligible, elegant, exquisite, grand, magnificent, ornate, splendid, chichi, extravagant, exuberant, fancified

Near Antonyms of Intricate

oversimplified, simplified, simplistic, homogeneous, uniform, unvaried, modest, plain-Jane, plain-vanilla, bald, bare, naked, unadorned, undecorated, unvarnished

Word Forms of Intricate

Derived words: intricately (adverb), intricateness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Intricate

Middle English, from Latin intricatus, past participle of intricare to entangle, from in- + tricae trifles, complications

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Intricate

What does "Intricate" mean?

"Intricate" means having many complexly interrelating parts or elements, complicated. As an adjective, it is defined as: having many complexly interrelating parts or elements, complicated. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Intricate"?

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

What are different ways to say "Intricate"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Intricate". Common alternatives include baroque, byzantine, complex, complicate, complicated, convoluted, daedal, elaborate, involute and involved.

What is the opposite of "Intricate"?

Antonyms of "Intricate" include noncomplex, noncomplicated, plain, simple, uncomplicated, no-frills, unfancy and unsophisticated. Near antonyms include oversimplified, simplified, simplistic and homogeneous.

How do you use "Intricate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Intricate" in a sentence: "an intricate machine that requires some training to use it properly"; "an intricate hairstyle that requires far too much maintenance to suit my taste".

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

"Intricate" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Intricate"?

"Intricate" is pronounced /ˈin-tri-kət/ and divided into syllables as in·tri·cate.

What is the origin of the word "Intricate"?

"Intricate" comes from Middle English, from Latin intricatus, past participle of intricare to entangle, from in- + tricae trifles, complications. First known use: 15th century.