complications

IPA/ˌkɒm.plɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/
KK[kˌɑmpləkˈeʃənz]IPA/ˌkɑːm.pləˈkeɪ.ʃən/

complications — noun

  • complicationssingular
  • complicationsesplural

1. extra problems, changes, or confusing details that make a plan, task, or situati

1.名詞B2
釋義

extra problems, changes, or confusing details that make a plan, task, or situation harder to deal with.

例句

Elise's visa application faced complications after the bank sent the wrong form.

complications after a paperwork mistake

A power cut caused complications for the restaurant during the Friday dinner rush.

cause complications for [person or business]

同義詞
  • problem

    the broadest word; complication suggests an extra layer of difficulty

  • obstacle

    focuses on something that blocks progress more directly

  • setback

    often emphasises delay or lost progress after things were going well

反義詞
  • solution

    removes or resolves the difficulty instead of adding to it

用法筆記

Often used in the plural for unexpected problems that appear after a plan has already begun. Common with travel, legal, financial, and family situations.

常見錯誤

❌We had many complications to book the tickets.
✅We had many complications when booking the tickets.
💡complication names the problem itself; it does not take a to-infinitive.

2. new medical problems that appear during an illness or treatment and make recover

2.名詞C1
釋義

new medical problems that appear during an illness or treatment and make recovery or care more difficult.

例句

Yan stayed in hospital longer because complications developed after the knee operation.

complications developed after [procedure]

Doctors warned that diabetes can cause serious complications in the eyes and feet.

cause serious complications in [body part]

同義詞
  • secondary condition

    formal medical wording for a later problem linked to the main illness

  • aftereffect

    can refer to a later result, but not always a distinct medical disorder

  • side effect

    usually points to an unwanted result of treatment rather than the illness itself

用法筆記

Used in healthcare contexts for secondary conditions that appear after the main illness, injury, or treatment. Unlike sense 1, this sense refers to medical problems rather than everyday delays or confusion.

常見錯誤

❌A fever is always a complication of the flu.
✅A fever is a symptom of the flu, but pneumonia can be a complication.
💡a complication is an extra medical problem that develops because of the illness or treatment.