intricate
IN-trih-kit
/ˈɪntrɪkət/
Very detailed; having many complexly interrelating parts or elements.
Intricate implies a high level of detail that requires careful attention to create or understand, often suggesting beauty through complexity.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, 'tricae' referred to petty annoyances or street obstacles that would trip you up. To 'intricate' someone meant to entangle them in a web of minor problems. Over time, this idea of entanglement shifted to describe beautiful, complex designs.
Word relationships
- complex: Complex refers to something with many parts that may be difficult to understand, while intricate specifically emphasizes fine, delicate, and beautiful details.
- elaborate: Elaborate means worked out with great care and detail, sometimes bordering on showy or excessive, whereas intricate focuses on the entanglement and delicacy of the parts.
- simple: Simple means plain, uncomplicated, and lacking in detail or complex parts.
Commonly confused with
- complicated: Complicated often has a negative connotation of being hard to deal with, whereas intricate is usually positive, highlighting beautiful complexity.
Word family
- intricacy (noun): The quality of being intricate; a detailed or complex feature.
- intricately (adverb): In an intricate or highly detailed manner.
Collocations
- intricate design
- intricate pattern
- intricate details
- intricate network
Example sentences
- "The lace pattern was so intricate that it required a magnifying glass to appreciate the tiny, hand-stitched flowers." Describing a complex design on a fabric.
- "The watchmaker spent hours assembling the intricate gears of the pocket watch." Describing a complex plot or system.
Memory hook
Think of an 'in-trick-kit'—a kit of tricks that is so complex and detailed it tricks your eyes. A kit of tricks is intricate.
When not to use
Do not use to describe something that is merely messy, disorganized, or confusing without any artistic design or structure.
Fun facts
- The human brain's neural network is often described as the most intricate structure in the known universe, containing over 86 billion neurons.
Related words
Explore more words
exquisite, finesse, meticulous, scrupulous, fastidious, perplexed
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