complexion

/kəmˈplekʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈplekʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /kəm-ˈplek-shən/ (ame, mw)

complexion — noun

  • complexionsingular
  • complexionsplural

1. the natural colour, texture, and overall condition of a person's facial skin, pa

1.名詞B1
釋義

the natural colour, texture, and overall condition of a person's facial skin, particularly how clear, smooth, or healthy it looks

例句

Mei-Lin's fair complexion burns easily in the sun, so she always wears sunscreen.

adjective + complexion: fair / dark / oily / clear

The nurse noticed that the patient's complexion had turned grey and immediately called the doctor.

verb: turn + complexion + colour adjective

同義詞
  • skin tone

    focuses on colour only, not texture or condition; a narrower term

  • colouring

    includes the colour of hair and eyes as well as skin; broader than complexion

  • skin type

    a clinical category (dry, oily, combination) rather than the overall look

文法句型

complexion + is/has + adjective

adjective + complexion

用法筆記

Can be described by adjectives of colour (fair, dark, ruddy, olive) or condition (clear, oily, blemish-free, flawless). Avoid adding 'skin' after 'complexion' — the word already refers to the skin.

常見錯誤

❌She has a very good complexion skin.
✅She has a very good complexion.
💡'complexion' already means the skin's condition; adding 'skin' is redundant.
❌His face complexion is oily.
✅His complexion is oily.
💡'face' is unnecessary because complexion specifically refers to facial skin.

2. the set of qualities that give a situation, event, or thing its basic character

2.名詞B2
釋義

the set of qualities that give a situation, event, or thing its basic character and overall appearance

例句

The recent job losses put a much darker complexion on the country's economic outlook.

put a + adjective + complexion on something

New technology has changed the whole complexion of the publishing industry over the past decade.

changed the complexion of [something]

同義詞
  • character

    more general and less formal; can refer to any distinctive quality of a person or thing

  • nature

    emphasises the essential or inherent qualities rather than the outward appearance

  • aspect

    focuses on a particular way something appears or is viewed, rather than its whole character

文法句型

the + complexion + of + noun phrase

put a + adjective + complexion on + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently appears in the fixed expressions 'put/place a different/new complexion on something' (meaning 'to change the way a situation is understood'). The subject is usually an event, fact, or piece of information.

常見錯誤

❌The complexion of the city changed.' (meaning the physical skyline)
✅The complexion of the city's economy changed.
💡sense 2 refers to the abstract character of something, not its physical appearance.

3. the habitual patterns of thought, emotion, and attitude that make up a person's

3.名詞C1
釋義

the habitual patterns of thought, emotion, and attitude that make up a person's inner character and shape how they react to the world

例句

Kenji's optimistic complexion means he always looks for the bright side in any difficult situation.

People with a cautious financial complexion tend to save rather than invest in risky funds.

同義詞
  • temperament

    focuses specifically on emotional responses and moods; more common in everyday language

  • disposition

    emphasises a person's natural tendency toward a particular mood or behaviour

  • constitution

    can mean either physical or mental makeup; often used in formal contexts

文法句型

adjective + complexion

someone's + adjective + complexion

用法筆記

Typically modified by an adjective that describes the dominant trait (artistic, cautious, moral, optimistic). Less common than senses 1 and 2; found mostly in formal writing, character descriptions, or psychological discussion.