complexion

noun

com·​plex·​ion kəm-ˈplek-shən 

1

: the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face

a dark complexion

2

a

: an individual complex of ways of thinking or feeling

b

: a complex of attitudes and inclinations

All the armed partisan groups in the city, of whatever political complexion, immediately joined in the fighting …

—Anna Louise Strong

3

: overall aspect or character

… by changing the complexion of the legislative branch …

—Trevor Armbrister

4

: the combination of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities held in medieval physiology to determine the quality of a body

complexional

kəm-ˈplek-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

complexioned

kəm-ˈplek-shənd 

adjective

Synonyms of complexion

• color
• coloring
• tone

Examples of complexion in a Sentence

She has a dark complexion.

All of the children had healthy complexions.

The complexion of the neighborhood has changed over the years.

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s formulated with niacinamide to brighten your complexion, panthenol to restore your skin’s barrier, and peptides to firm and smooth visible signs of aging like wrinkles and fine lines. — Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026

Both men appeared in court Monday, still bearing the ruddy complexions of people who had spent an extended period of time outdoors. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Microneedling stimulates your own collagen with minimal downtime, while a series of light to medium chemical peels can brighten the complexion, improve texture and help fade residual summer discoloration. — Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Shoichiro was smallish and solidly built, with a dull, pale complexion. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English complexioun "(of substances, parts of the body, or persons) constitution or nature resulting from a combination of the four humors, healthy disposition, facial color taken as indicating the proportion of humors, (in general) constitution, nature," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French complexion, complection "humor, combination of humors, physical constitution or nature, facial color" borrowed from Medieval Latin complexiōn-, complexiō "combination of humors or other elements, constitution, temperament," going back to Latin, "action of circling, combination, collection," from complector, complectī "to embrace, grasp, encompass, include" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at complex entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing complexion

• peaches and cream complexion
• put a new/different complexion on

Rhymes for complexion

• abjection
• advection
• affection
• bijection
• bisection
• collection
• confection
• connection
• connexion
• convection
• correction
• defection

Kids Definition

complexion

noun

com·​plex·​ion kəm-ˈplek-shən 

1

: the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face

has a dark complexion

2

: general appearance : character

information that changes the whole complexion of a situation

complexioned

-shənd 

adjective

Medical Definition

complexion

noun

com·​plex·​ion kəm-ˈplek-shən 

1

: the combination of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities held in medieval physiology to determine the quality of a body

2

: the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face

a dark complexion

complexioned

-shənd 

adjective