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

Out of the three facials, this one left me with the brightest and clearest complexion immediately after. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 10 Nov. 2026

Arguing with officials and heaving vibey buzzer-beaters from all over the building, including a 61-footer that completely altered the complexion of Friday’s game, giving the Lakers momentum for the first time entering intermission. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Nov. 2026

Dark circles, dull skin and a tired complexion can be a result of many other causes, including genetics, hormonal changes, dehydration, stress, and poor sleep. — Amy Francombe, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026

Five trips later, this serum has left me with a plump, hydrated complexion that looks great even without makeup. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 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