intricacy

noun

in·​tri·​ca·​cy ˈin-tri-kə-sē 

plural intricacies

1

: the quality or state of being intricate

2

: something intricate

the intricacies of a plot

Synonyms

• complexity
• difficulty
• complication

Examples of intricacy in a Sentence

She admired the composition for its beauty and intricacy.

I had trouble following all the intricacies in the plot.

the intricacies of English grammar

Recent Examples on the Web

Others turned to social media forums to discuss the intricacies of that fateful night, turning what began as a local homicide case into a broader national sensation. —Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 21 June 2025

The intricacy of the process, from the soil to the farmers, to the grapes to the weather. —Adam Morganstern, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Astronomers have obtained a stunning new image of the Sculptor Galaxy, painted in thousands of colors that reveals the intricacies of galactic systems. —Robert Lea, Space.com, 18 June 2025

For instance, Tae helps his dad with the intricacies of K-pop, Korean culture, and language. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 14 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

intricacy

noun

in·​tri·​ca·​cy ˈin-tri-kə-sē 

plural intricacies

1

: the quality or state of being intricate

2

: something intricate

the intricacies of the plot