intricacy

/ˈɪntrɪkəsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪntrɪkəsi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin-tri-kə-sē/ (ame, mw)

intricacy — noun

1. the fine, connected details in something that make it hard to fully understand,

1.名詞C1
釋義

the fine, connected details in something that make it hard to fully understand, explain, or do.

例句

New staff spend weeks learning the intricacies of the visa system.

learn the intricacies of + system/process

The intricacies of chess endings still fascinate Rohan after thirty years.

the intricacies of + field/activity as subject

同義詞
  • detail

    more neutral; it does not by itself suggest hard-to-follow connections.

  • fine point

    especially used for rules, arguments, or technical distinctions.

  • complication

    adds the idea that the detail creates difficulty or trouble.

  • nuance

    narrower; usually about small differences in meaning, feeling, or tone.

反義詞
  • basics

    the main simple parts without the harder details.

  • overview

    a general picture rather than the fine points.

文法句型

the intricacies of the law

learn the intricacies of a process

the contract's intricacies

用法筆記

Often appears in the plural, especially with an of-phrase naming law, finance, machinery, or a skilled activity. Unlike sense 2, this sense points to the separate details you have to work through.

常見錯誤

❌She explained the intricacy of the visa rules.
✅She explained the intricacies of the visa rules.
💡Use the plural when you mean many separate details.

2. the quality of being made with many small parts or patterns that fit together in

2.名詞C1
釋義

the quality of being made with many small parts or patterns that fit together in a finely complicated way.

例句

Visitors admired the intricacy of the silver gate at the temple.

the intricacy of + crafted object

The paper bird's intricacy surprised everyone at the school fair.

同義詞
  • complexity

    broader and often used for systems, ideas, or situations, not just visible detail.

  • elaborateness

    often stresses added decoration or planning more strongly.

  • delicacy

    focuses more on fineness or lightness than on many connected parts.

反義詞
  • simplicity

    the quality of having few parts and little complication.

  • plainness

    especially used for an appearance without rich detail.

文法句型

the intricacy of a design

the window's intricacy

architectural intricacy

用法筆記

Usually singular and often followed by an of-phrase naming a design, pattern, object, or structure. Unlike sense 1, this sense describes the overall finely complicated quality rather than the individual details.

常見錯誤

❌The dress has many intricacy.
✅The dress has a lot of intricacy.' / 'The dress has intricate details.
💡Use intricacy as an uncountable noun when talking about overall quality.