Complexion

/kəmˈplɛkʃən/ · noun

Meaning

The quality, colour, or appearance of the skin on the face..

Definitions by Sense

1. The quality, colour, or appearance of the skin on the face.
2. (figuratively) The outward appearance of something.
3. Outlook, attitude, or point of view.
4. (obsolete, medicine) The combination of humours making up one's physiological "temperament", being either hot or cold, and moist or dry.
5. (loanword, especially in scientific works translated from German) An arrangement.
6. (transitive) To give a colour to.

Example Sentences

a rugged complexion

a sunburnt complexion

Prince of Morocco: Mislike me not for my complexion, / The shadow’d livery of the burnish’d sun, / To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred. […]

"I shall do nothing for the next week but study my costume and complexion," said she. "Ethel and myself will consider our conquests as proper compliments to your kindness."

The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.

“Yes, Mr. Holmes, I teach music.” “In the country, I presume, from your complexion.” “Yes, sir, near Farnham, on the borders of Surrey.”

This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking. In complexion fair, and with blue or gray eyes, he was tall as any Viking, as broad in the shoulder.

Nurse Cramer had a cute nose and a radiant, blooming complexion dotted with fetching sprays of adorable freckles that Yossarian detested.

Synonyms for complexion

Antonyms for complexion

Related Words

Word Forms

• complexions
• complection
• complexioning
• complexioned

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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