intricate
Having many small parts or details.
intricate in a sentence
- The intricate lock had dozens of tiny cogs and hidden switches.
- The spider spun an intricate web with hundreds of fine, perfectly spaced threads.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to intricate?
- Acomplex
- Bsimple
- Cbasic
- Dplain
Show the answer
A: complex. The other three mean the opposite of intricate.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to intricate?
- Acomplex
- Bdetailed
- Csimple
- Dfancy
Show the answer
C: simple. The other three mean nearly the same as intricate.
Words that mean something similar
complex, detailed, fancy
Words that mean the opposite
simple, plain, basic
Careful: intricate is not complex
Complex is about being hard to work out. Intricate is about lots of small, fine detail. Read why children mix them up.
More words about appearance & looks
- jagged: Having sharp, uneven points along the edge.
- knobbly: Covered in small bumps and lumps.
- lanky: Very tall and thin, often with long arms and legs.
- legible: Clear enough to read.
- lopsided: Leaning or heavier on one side, not even.
- luscious: Tasting or looking rich, sweet and delicious.
- magnificent: Extremely beautiful and impressive.
- majestic: Grand and impressive, like a king or queen.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test