Complexion - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT complexion /kəmˈplɛkʃən/ /kəmˈplɛkʃɪn/ IPA guide

Other forms: complexions; complexioned

Complexion refers to the color of a person's skin, especially the face. If you have light skin, for example, you might be said to have a fair or pale complexion.

The general character of something can also be called its complexion. If your team's star quarterback is out with an injury, it will change the complexion of the next game and possibly the entire season. Complexion originally referred to the humors that in ancient Greek and Roman medicine supposedly made up a person's temperament and health. The word came from the Latin complexionem, or "combination," but as humorism fell out of favor, this definition of complexion also became obsolete.

Definitions of complexion

noun texture and appearance of the skin of the face see moresee less type of: appearance, visual aspect outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
noun the coloring of a person's face synonyms: skin color, skin colour see moresee less types: show 7 types... hide 7 types... blondness, fairness, paleness the property of having a naturally light complexion rosiness, ruddiness a healthy reddish complexion achromasia, lividity, lividness, luridness, paleness, pallidness, pallor, wanness unnatural lack of color in the skin (as from bruising or sickness or emotional distress) sallowness a sickly yellowish skin color tawniness the quality or state of being the color of tanned leather darkness, duskiness, swarthiness a swarthy complexion whiteness lightness or fairness of complexion type of: color, coloring, colour, colouring a visual attribute of things that results from the light they emit or transmit or reflect
verb give a certain color to “The setting sun complexioned the hills” see moresee less type of: tinct, tinge, tint, touch color lightly
noun a point of view or general attitude or inclination “he altered the complexion of his times” “a liberal political complexion” see moresee less type of: point of view, stand, standpoint, viewpoint a mental position from which things are viewed
noun (obsolete) a combination of elements (of dryness and warmth or of the four humors) that was once believed to determine a person's health and temperament see moresee less type of: nature the complex of emotional and intellectual attributes that determine a person's characteristic actions and reactions
noun a combination that results from coupling or interlinking “diphthongs are complexions of vowels” see moresee less type of: combination a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities

Pronunciation US /kəmˈplɛkʃən/ UK /kəmˈplɛkʃɪn/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘complexion'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

Vocabulary lists containing complexion

Much Ado About Nothing William Shakespeare

Tired of their constant bickering, Beatrice and Benedick's friends hatch a plan to get the two to fall in love. Learn these words from Shakespeare's comedy about fidelity and deception. Read the full text here.

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Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie Jordan Sonnenblick

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