complexion

noun

com·​plex·​ion kəm-ˈplek-shən How to pronounce complexion (audio)
1
: the combination of the hot, cold, moist, and dry qualities held in medieval physiology to determine the quality of a body
2
a
: an individual complex of ways of thinking or feeling
b
: a complex of attitudes and inclinations
3
: the hue or appearance of the skin and especially of the face
a dark complexion
4
: overall aspect or character
by changing the complexion of the legislative branchTrevor Armbrister
complexional
kəm-ˈplek-shnəl How to pronounce complexion (audio)
-shə-nᵊl
adjective
complexioned adjective

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 He was described as Hispanic, with a dark complexion, in his late 20s, 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6 inches tall, with a thin to medium build and shoulder length black hair. Kristina Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 But Eva Longoria’s Oscars 2024 makeup was achieved using all drugstore items — and her complexion glowed luxuriously thanks to one affordable find. Kayla Blanton, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 The best powder foundations work with your complexion instead of trying to camouflage it with heavy pigments. Clare Holden, Glamour, 1 Mar. 2024 Eight individuals remain sought in connection to the attack, including five males described as having a light complexion and three other males described as having a medium complexion, the NYPD said Sunday. Danielle Wallace, Fox News, 25 Feb. 2024 Francis would have known that, for more than a century before he was born, in 1937, photographic technique — lighting and exposure, in the studio, and then developing and printing and even retouching, in the darkroom — had deliberately been used to lighten Black complexions, and negate them. Blake Gopnik, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 Finding the right acne cream can improve consistent use—which will usually improve skin complexion. Casey Gallagher, Verywell Health, 2 Mar. 2024 Equipped with real diamond grit, this wand works to add a more polished look to your skin, creating a bright and smooth complexion that everyone will compliment you on. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 The addition of Burnes changes the complexion of the Orioles’ rotation, while the signing of closer Craig Kimbrel during the winter meetings in December helps fill the mountain-sized hole left by injured flamethrower Félix Bautista. Jacob Calvin Meyer, Baltimore Sun, 14 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'complexion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of complexion was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near complexion

Cite this Entry

“Complexion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complexion. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

complexion

noun
com·​plex·​ion kəm-ˈplek-shən How to pronounce complexion (audio)
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 adjective

Medical Definition

complexion

noun
com·​plex·​ion kəm-ˈplek-shən How to pronounce complexion (audio)
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 adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on complexion

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