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Elaborate vs Complicate - What's the difference?

elaborate | complicate |

In lang=en terms the difference between elaborate and complicate

is that elaborate is (used with'' on ''when used with an object ) to give further detail or explanation (about) while complicate is to expose involvement in a convoluted matter.

As adjectives the difference between elaborate and complicate

is that elaborate is highly complex, detailed, or sophisticated while complicate is (obsolete) intertwined.

As verbs the difference between elaborate and complicate

is that elaborate is (used with'' on ''when used with an object ) to give further detail or explanation (about) while complicate is to fold or twist together; to combine intricately; to make complex; to combine or associate so as to make intricate or difficult.

elaborate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Highly complex, detailed, or sophisticated.
  • :
  • Intricate, fancy, flashy, or showy.
  • :
  • *
  • *:The house was a big elaborate limestone affair, evidently new. Winter sunshine sparkled on lace-hung casement, on glass marquise, and the burnished bronze foliations of grille and door.

    • Verb

    (elaborat)
  • (used with'' on ''when used with an object ) To give further detail or explanation (about).
    • What do you mean you didn't come home last night? Would you care to elaborate ?
    Could you elaborate on the plot for your novel for me?

    complicate

    English

    Verb

    (complicat)
  • To fold or twist together; to combine intricately; to make complex; to combine or associate so as to make intricate or difficult.
    • Don't complicate yourself in issues that are beyond the scope of your education.
  • to expose involvement in a convoluted matter.
    • John has been complicated in the affair by new tapes that surfaced.
    The DA has made every effort to complicate me in the scandal.

    Synonyms

    * (expose involvement in a convoluted matter) intricate, entangle, embroil, mix up (in something), mire

    Related terms

    * complication

    See also

    * complex

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Intertwined.
  • Complex, complicated.
  • * 1745 , Edward Young, Night-Thoughts , I:
    • How poor, how rich, how abject, how august, / How complicate , how wonderful, is Man!

    External links

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