overly intricate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overly intricate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is excessively complicated or detailed, often to the point of being difficult to understand. Example: "The instructions for assembling the furniture were overly intricate, making it hard for anyone to follow them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But with Shakespeare, there's an advantage to not being distracted by overly intricate characterization.

The New York Times

Drinks are well made, but not overly intricate; most have no more than three ingredients.

The New York Times - Food

Recent movies like "Syriana," "Quantum of Solace," and "Duplicity" are scripted and edited as overly intricate puzzles, and I've heard many people complain that the struggle to understand the plot becomes the principal experience of watching such films.

The New Yorker

Although the Danes regularly fed Christian Eriksen in the hope that the Tottenham Hotspur schemer would concoct some ingenious way of unpicking a defence led by Shane Duffy, the hosts were not overly intricate and did not forsake the aerial route.

The Guardian - Sport

Captain Michael Dawson responded by glancing a free header over the bar, but all too often Spurs' first-half attacks became overly intricate and broke down in the final third.

BBC

The plot is not overly intricate, but still contains enough layers of sustained revelation to keep the pages turning, especially in the increasingly suspenseful second half.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Don't make your design too intricate.

WikiHow

Maybe it is weighed down by James Lapine's intricate and overly worthy book.

The Guardian

A master of studio lighting and expressive set design, Dieterle creates some memorably intricate spaces to contain this otherwise overly familiar material, which finds Charlton Heston (in his Hollywood film debut) as a gambler who cheats a chump (Don DeFore) out of $5,000, only to have the poor sap commit suicide on him.

The New York Times

Serbian designer Roksanda Ilincic has become known for her delicate, intricate dresses and certainly the best pieces in her otherwise overly ornate collection (that is what you get when you look to Marie Antoinette for inspiration) were the beautiful slips that looked lovely on the models but would be downright obscene on anyone whose double-A cup floweth over.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Those were intricate times).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overly intricate" to suggest simplification without sacrificing essential details for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "overly intricate" when you simply mean something is detailed. "Intricate" implies a level of complexity that, when excessive, becomes problematic. If it's just detailed and well-organized, "intricate" alone might suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overly intricate" primarily functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate that they possess an excessive level of complexity or detail. Ludwig confirms its usability in describing something excessively complicated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

11%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Overly intricate" is a phrase used to describe something that is unnecessarily complex or detailed. Ludwig confirms its usability in English writing. While the phrase is grammatically sound and readily understood, it's essential to ensure that it accurately conveys the intended meaning of excessive and potentially detrimental complexity. When in doubt, simpler alternatives like ""excessively complicated"" or ""unduly complex"" might offer greater clarity. Primarily found in news and media contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral to formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively complicated

Emphasizes the excessive level of complication.

unduly complex

Highlights that the complexity is unnecessary or inappropriate.

needlessly detailed

Focuses on the unnecessary level of detail.

unnecessarily elaborate

Stresses the unnecessary level of elaboration.

overly convoluted

Indicates a winding and confusing complexity.

excessively elaborate

Similar to "unnecessarily elaborate" but with a stronger emphasis on excess.

gratuitously complex

Implies that the complexity is unwarranted and serves no purpose.

pointlessly intricate

Highlights the lack of purpose in the intricacy.

unjustifiably detailed

Suggests that the level of detail is not warranted or reasonable.

unacceptably complicated

Emphasizes that the level of complication is beyond what is acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "overly intricate" in a sentence?

You can use "overly intricate" to describe something that is unnecessarily complex or detailed. For example, "The plot of the movie was "overly intricate", making it difficult to follow."

What can I say instead of "overly intricate"?

You can use alternatives like "excessively complicated", "unduly complex", or "needlessly detailed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "intricate" or "overly intricate"?

"Intricate" describes something with many complex parts. "Overly intricate" suggests that the complexity is excessive and potentially detrimental. Choose the phrase that best reflects the level of complexity and its impact.

What's the difference between "overly intricate" and "overly complex"?

While similar, "overly intricate" emphasizes the detailed and interwoven nature of the complexity, while "overly complex" focuses on the general difficulty and complication.