noun
Uncommon
complication
kom-plih-KAY-shuhn
Complication (noun) means a problem or difficulty that makes a situation harder to deal with. Example: “An unexpected complication delayed the project by weeks.”
noun
1
A problem or difficulty that makes a situation harder to deal with.
"An unexpected complication delayed the project by weeks."
2
(medicine) A secondary condition that arises during or after an illness and makes it worse.
"Pneumonia is a serious complication of the flu in elderly patients."
3
(horology) An extra function on a watch beyond simply telling the time, such as a date display or moon phase.
"The watch has a chronograph complication."
How to use complication
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn added difficulty or problem, or (in medicine) a knock-on health issue.
Common pairings
medical complication
run into complications
without complications
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Word forms
- Plural
- complications
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
An unexpected _____ delayed the project by weeks.
Etymology
From Latin complicatio, "a folding together," the noun form of complicare — see "complicate."
Synonyms
View more →
ramification
complicatedness
knottiness
tortuousness
entanglement
intricacy
snarl
wheel within a wheel
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for complication
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for complication →
Frequently asked questions
What does “complication” mean?
The word “complication” means a problem or difficulty that makes a situation harder to deal with. In plain terms, an added difficulty or problem, or (in medicine) a knock-on health issue.
How do you pronounce “complication”?
“Complication” is pronounced kom-plih-KAY-shuhn (/ˌkɑm.pləˈkeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “complication” in a sentence?
Here is “complication” used in a sentence: “An unexpected complication delayed the project by weeks.”
What is another word for “complication”?
Words with a similar meaning to “complication” include entanglement, intricacy, snarl and wheel within a wheel.
What part of speech is “complication”?
“Complication” is a noun.
Where does the word “complication” come from?
The word “complication” comes from Latin. From Latin complicatio, "a folding together," the noun form of complicare — see "complicate.".
Is “complication” a common word?
“Complication” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “complication” have?
“Complication” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a problem or difficulty that makes a situation harder to deal with.
