intricacy

noun

in·​tri·​ca·​cy ˈin-tri-kə-sē How to pronounce intricacy (audio)
plural intricacies
1
: the quality or state of being intricate
2
: something intricate
the intricacies of a plot

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No one knows the surface, its intricacies, and how to use every square inch of the court better than Djokovic. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 11 July 2025 Calculating the date of Easter has been a complex matter for thousands of years because of the intricacies of accounting for both the solar and lunar cycles, as well as the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 Those that understand the intricacies of medicine see certain research undertakings as impossible. Alexis Kayser, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025 The film’s director, Joseph Kosinski, best known for the box-office sensation Top Gun: Maverick, accounts for this system’s intricacies by stripping the plot of any complications. David Sims, The Atlantic, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for intricacy

Word History

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of intricacy was in 1602

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Cite this Entry

“Intricacy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intricacy. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

intricacy

noun
in·​tri·​ca·​cy ˈin-tri-kə-sē How to pronounce intricacy (audio)
plural intricacies
1
: the quality or state of being intricate
2
: something intricate
the intricacies of the plot

More from Merriam-Webster on intricacy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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