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 of intricacy

• 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

For all of its intricacy, the film’s editing conceals a void of disrespect for its characters, for experience, history, emotion, and the cinematic image itself. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026

For many participants, what sets the class apart is the immediacy in intricacies of learning. —Daily News, 6 Apr. 2026

According to Ben-Yehuda, the industry threshold for intricacy is the perpetual calendar, a constellation of sub-dials tracking day, month, year (even leap years) and sometimes moon phase. —Adam Erace, Fortune, 4 Apr. 2026

This name belies the intricacy of each species’ arrangement of parts. —Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026

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