intricacy
C1Formal, Neutral, Literary
Definition
Meaning
The state or quality of having many complexly arranged parts; complexity.
A complicated detail, feature, or element of something. The plural form 'intricacies' often refers to the minute details of a system, process, or object that make it complex.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun, uncountable for the state of being intricate, countable for individual complex details. Implies complexity that is fascinating, delicate, or difficult to understand fully, but not necessarily negative.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Spelling is consistent. Usage is equally formal in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical. Suggests refined complexity, craftsmanship, or detailed thought.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK academic and literary contexts, but the difference is marginal.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
the intricacy of [noun phrase][verb] the intricacy[adjective] intricacyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None directly associated with the word 'intricacy']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the complex details of contracts, financial regulations, or organisational processes. (e.g., 'They struggled with the legal intricacies of the merger.')
Academic
Describes complex details in theories, historical events, or scientific mechanisms. (e.g., 'The paper explores the philosophical intricacies of the argument.')
Everyday
Less common. Used when describing complex patterns, crafts, or rules. (e.g., 'I admire the intricacy of that lace.')
Technical
Used in engineering, computing, and design to describe complex structures or code. (e.g., 'The intricacy of the circuit board requires precision soldering.')
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [None; the verb 'intricate' is obsolete or non-standard]
American English
- [None; the verb 'intricate' is obsolete or non-standard]
adverb
British English
- [The adverb 'intricately' is related] The wood was intricately carved with floral patterns.
American English
- [The adverb 'intricately' is related] The plotlines were intricately woven together.
adjective
British English
- [This is for the adjective 'intricate', related to 'intricacy'] The clock mechanism was incredibly intricate.
- He explained the intricate details of the council's bylaws.
American English
- [This is for the adjective 'intricate', related to 'intricacy'] The lace pattern was highly intricate.
- She navigated the intricate rules of the tax code.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Too advanced for A2. Use adjective 'complicated' instead.]
- The design of the jewellery showed great intricacy.
- I don't understand all the intricacies of the game.
- The report failed to address the full intricacy of the political crisis.
- As a novice, he was unaware of the legal intricacies involved in starting a business.
- The sheer intricacy of the neural network model baffled even the experienced researchers.
- Her novel is celebrated for the psychological intricacy of its protagonists and the layered intricacies of its plot.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of INTRICATE LACE. The word 'intricacy' is like the noun form of 'intricate', describing the state of being as detailed and tangled as fine lace.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLEXITY IS A TANGLED WEB / COMPLEXITY IS FINE CRAFTSMANSHIP.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating it as 'трудность' (difficulty). It's more about structural complexity, not hardship.
- Closer to 'сложность (устройства/узора)', 'запутанность', or 'тонкость (деталей)'.
- The plural 'intricacies' is often best translated as 'тонкости', 'подробности', or 'нюансы'.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing it with 'intricate' (adj). e.g., 'It was full of intricate' (wrong) vs. 'It was full of intricacy' (correct).
- Mispronunciation: /ɪnˈtraɪ.kə.si/ (wrong) instead of /ˈɪn.trɪ.kə.si/ (correct).
- Using as a countable noun incorrectly: 'an intricacy detail' (wrong) vs. 'an intricate detail' (correct).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'intricacy' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally neutral, but often carries a positive connotation of skilled craftsmanship, fascinating detail, or intellectual depth. It implies admirable complexity, not frustrating confusion.
They are close synonyms. 'Intricacy' often emphasises fine, delicate, and interwoven details (like a spider's web or lace), while 'complexity' is a broader term for something with many interconnected parts, which may be large-scale or abstract. 'Intricacy' is more specific and visual.
Yes, but carefully. As a countable noun (plural: intricacies), it refers to a specific complex detail or feature. E.g., 'The contract had several unforeseen intricacies.' The uncountable form refers to the overall quality. E.g., 'I was amazed by the intricacy of the contract.'
The stress is on the first syllable: IN-tri-ca-cy. In British English, the second syllable is /trɪ/. In American English, it often reduces to /trə/. The final syllable is /si/.
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