complex term

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complex term" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a word or phrase that has multiple meanings or is difficult to understand due to its intricacy. Example: "The term 'quantum entanglement' is a complex term that requires a deep understanding of physics to fully grasp."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

American, like modern, is a loaded and complex term.

The New York Times

The methods are based on the solution of the generating differential equation with a cubic complex term.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

In legal and political contexts, then, "indigenous" has to be understood as a complex term that is conditional on current circumstance, not as an absolute and unchanging descriptor for a state of being.

The Guardian - Opinion

So when an entire literary era like Burns's is termed "Sentimental", a highly complex term that draws on writers as diverse as Laurence Sterne and Henry MacKenzie, they are apt to use the term without checking it out.

The Guardian - Books

"Country" is a complex term, denoting Indigenous Australians' land, sea, sky, rivers, seasons, plants, animals, belonging, and spirituality: to speak of one's country is to speak of place, but also a spiritual connection.

The Guardian

(The addition operation could be defined using primitive recursion, which would produce a more complex term).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The suit, filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court, centers on complex terms in Mr. Wolf's contract.

The New York Times - Arts

This is especially true in sentences that are already burdened with several complex terms and ideas.

Yale University

An immune complex termed Y-complex was developed to intensify the effect of the passive vaccine.

Vaccine

Under the deal's complex terms, News Corporation spent $100 million for two million shares of WebMD stock at $50 a share.

The New York Times

But Ms. Mutter sees her relationship to society in more complex terms.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the "complex term", ensure you define it clearly for your audience, especially if they are not experts in the field. Providing examples can also help improve understanding.

Common error

Avoid using even more complex language to define a "complex term". Strive for clarity and simplicity in your explanation to prevent further confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complex term" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and categorizes a specific word or phrase based on its level of intricacy or difficulty to understand. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complex term" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a word or phrase that is difficult to understand. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various domains, including science, news and media, and formal business contexts. While not overly common, the phrase serves an important function in identifying and categorizing intricate language. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to define such terms when using them, and avoid using equally complex language in your explanations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complicated concept

Replaces 'term' with 'concept', focusing on the idea rather than the word itself. It implies intellectual difficulty.

intricate expression

Substitutes 'complex' with 'intricate' and 'term' with 'expression', highlighting the detailed and elaborate nature of the phrase.

sophisticated idea

Replaces both words to suggest a high degree of refinement and complexity in the thought conveyed.

challenging notion

Focuses on the difficulty of understanding or grappling with the idea, rather than just its complexity.

involved subject

Indicates that the topic requires careful attention and has many interconnected parts.

elaborate construct

Highlights the structured and detailed nature of the term, often used in academic or technical contexts.

convoluted terminology

Emphasizes the confusing and often unnecessary complexity of the language used.

multifaceted aspect

Focuses on the many different sides or angles that must be considered.

arcane wording

Suggests that the language is obscure and difficult to understand, often because it's outdated or specialized.

knotty question

Replaces 'term' by 'question' which means the complexity of the term arise from the difficulty of the matter at hand

FAQs

How can I use "complex term" in a sentence?

You can use "complex term" to describe a word or phrase that is difficult to understand. For example: "'Quantum entanglement' is a "complex term" that requires a deep understanding of physics."

What are some alternatives to saying "complex term"?

Alternatives include "complicated concept", "intricate expression", or "sophisticated idea" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "complex term" or "complicated term"?

Both "complex term" and "complicated term" are acceptable. "Complex" often implies a higher degree of intricacy and interconnectedness, while "complicated" suggests difficulty in understanding or dealing with something.

How do I identify a "complex term"?

A "complex term" is often characterized by having multiple layers of meaning, requiring specialized knowledge to understand, or being subject to varying interpretations depending on the context.