labyrinth

USAGE SUMMARY

'labyrinth' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when referring to a complicated network of paths or passages, or to describe a series of events or decisions that are hard to navigate. Example sentence: I found myself lost in a labyrinth of choices, and couldn't find my way out.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the heart of the concrete and brick labyrinth of Milton Keynes, hard by Midsummer Boulevard, a certified national treasure has been identified.

The Guardian - Arts

They construct a labyrinth of falsehoods from which it is almost impossible to emerge without the help of people who devote their lives to navigating it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Among the labyrinth that is Johnny Brenda's, the big room can fit a few hundred folks, including balcony viewing where weekly, the venue hosts local, regional and national touring acts.

The Guardian - Travel

The autumn was well advanced as I headed south into Patagonia, through near-uninhabited landscapes of lakes, forests and glaciers; the first flurries of snow had begun to fall as I reached the point when the Andes is shattered into a labyrinth of fjords and islands.

The Guardian - Travel

He later wrote in Necronomicon of the cellar as "a monstrous labyrinth where all kinds of dangers lay in wait for me" and of "steep and treacherous wooden stairways without banisters [that] led down into the yawning abyss".

The Guardian - Film

Troytown is named after its medieval stone labyrinth, the Troytown Maze (5), a short walk from the campsite.

The Guardian - Travel

But the media drag us deeper into the labyrinth.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the opposite end of the country, I arrive in a sun-warmed farmyard at the end of a labyrinth of high-hedged lanes: the office of Take Art, an organisation that brings dance, theatre and performance to audiences in rural Somerset.

The Guardian

So, like my brother, father, grandfathers and great-grandfathers before me, down I went; down 1,200 metres at a one-in-three gradiron in iron bogies to a black labyrinth of tunnels where I would stay, with a throat full of coaldust, for 10 years, nine months and 24 days.

The Guardian

Ed Atkins While Abramović holds court at the Serpentine, high-definition video by Atkins can be seen at its nearby Sackler Gallery, promising to absorb the visitor in a multi-screen labyrinth.

The Guardian - Arts

CloudFlare, one such start-up, has developed a service called Maze, which it proudly describes as "a virtual labyrinth of gibberish and gobbledygook".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "labyrinth" to evoke a sense of complexity, mystery, and potential disorientation. It's more evocative than a simple "maze".

Common error

Avoid using "labyrinth" to describe a simple or straightforward path. The word implies a complex and potentially confusing network.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "labyrinth" is as a noun, referring to a complex and confusing network of passages or paths. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable word. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in both literal and metaphorical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Arts

14%

Travel

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "labyrinth" functions primarily as a noun, describing a complex and confusing network, either physically or metaphorically. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness. It is frequently employed in News & Media, Arts, and Travel contexts to convey complexity and disorientation. While "labyrinth" is often interchangeable with "maze", it carries a stronger connotation of intricacy and mystery. When writing, use "labyrinth" to emphasize the challenging nature of navigating a complex space or situation, but avoid using it for simple paths. Related terms include "maze", "complex system", and "intricate network".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maze

A more straightforward synonym, lacking the nuanced implications of complexity or confusion that "labyrinth" can convey.

complex system

Emphasizes the interconnectedness and intricate nature of the elements, differing from the potential physical structure implied by "labyrinth".

intricate network

Highlights the interwoven connections and pathways, diverging from the enclosed or confusing aspect of a "labyrinth".

tangled web

Implies a messy and potentially deceptive complexity, adding a negative connotation not always present in "labyrinth".

complicated structure

Focuses on the complex arrangement and design, omitting the element of disorientation or being lost that "labyrinth" suggests.

confusing arrangement

Highlights the perplexing and disorienting aspects, deviating from the structural implications associated with "labyrinth".

byzantine

Evokes a sense of political intrigue and opacity, often with negative connotations of corruption and conspiracy unlike "labyrinth" whose meaning can be neutral.

convoluted

Emphasizes the twisting and complicated nature, differing from the physical or metaphorical path implied by "labyrinth".

morass

Implies being trapped or bogged down in a difficult situation, introducing a sense of helplessness not necessarily present in "labyrinth".

quagmire

Suggests a difficult or entrapping situation, often with legal or political implications, adding a layer of problem-solving not always present in "labyrinth".

FAQs

How can I use "labyrinth" in a sentence?

You can use "labyrinth" to describe a physical maze, like "The garden was a complex labyrinth of hedges". It can also describe complicated situations, such as "The legal system is a labyrinth of rules and regulations".

What words are similar to "labyrinth"?

Similar words include "maze", "complex system", and "intricate network". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "labyrinth" metaphorically?

Yes, "labyrinth" is often used metaphorically to describe situations or systems that are complex and difficult to navigate. For example, "navigating the labyrinth of bureaucracy".

What's the difference between "labyrinth" and "maze"?

"Labyrinth" often implies a more complex and confusing structure than a "maze". While both involve winding paths, a labyrinth can suggest a deeper sense of mystery or disorientation.