English · Word Candidate

intricate

/ˈɪn.tɹɪ.kət/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: intricates · intricating · intricated

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Having a great deal of fine detail or complexity.

Adjective

The architecture of this clock is very intricate.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To become enmeshed or entangled.

Verb

[…] washes off easily, without sticking or intricating into the wound.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To enmesh or entangle: to cause to intricate.

Verb

But the British and French won't hear of that; they want to get their troops extricated and our ground troops intricated.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “intricate” mean?

Having a great deal of fine detail or complexity.

Is “intricate” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.