complication

complication — noun

1. A situation, event, or piece of information — often one that was not expected —

1.nounB2
Definition

A situation, event, or piece of information — often one that was not expected — that makes a plan or process harder to carry out.

Example

A visa delay added another complication to Lakshmi's study abroad plans.

added complication to [plan/process]

The team leader tried to avoid further complications by sending a clearer schedule.

avoid complications

Common collocations
  • add a complication
  • cause complications
  • avoid complications
  • hit a complication
  • lead to complications
  • further complication
  • unexpected complication
  • complication arises
Synonyms
  • difficulty

    more general; any situation that requires effort to deal with

  • setback

    implies a delay or reversal of progress, stronger than complication

  • hitch

    informal; a small temporary problem that is usually easy to fix

  • snag

    informal; an unexpected minor problem that causes a delay

Antonyms
  • simplification

    something that makes a situation easier rather than harder

  • solution

    a way to resolve a problem, not the problem itself

Grammar Patterns

complication + of + noun/gerund

complication + to + noun

complication + with + noun

Usage Note

Frequently used in the plural (complications) when referring to multiple unexpected difficulties. Common in contexts involving plans, travel, logistics, and negotiations.

Common Mistakes

The complication of this machine is too high.
This machine is too complicated.
'Complication' is a countable problem, not an abstract quality. Use 'complexity' for the state of being complex.
I had a small complication with my phone.
I had a small problem with my phone.
'Complication' is too strong for everyday minor issues; use 'problem' or 'glitch' instead.

2. An additional health condition that develops while a person is already receiving

2.nounB2
Definition

An additional health condition that develops while a person is already receiving treatment for a different illness, potentially making recovery harder or slower.

Example

After years of diabetes, Jiwoo developed complications that affected her vision.

develop complications from [illness]

The doctor warned Dario about possible complications before the heart surgery.

Common collocations
  • develop complications
  • suffer complications
  • lead to complications
  • serious complications
  • complications from surgery
  • complications of diabetes
  • risk of complications
Synonyms
  • secondary infection

    more specific; a new infection caused by or occurring during the primary one

  • aftereffect

    broader; any result that appears after treatment, not necessarily negative

Antonyms
  • recovery

    the process of getting better, the opposite of developing problems

  • improvement

    a positive change in a patient's condition

Grammar Patterns

complication + from + noun

complication + of + noun

develop + complications

lead to + complications

Usage Note

Commonly used with prepositions from (complications from surgery) and of (complications of diabetes). The plural form is typical even when referring to a single patient's situation.

Common Mistakes

The medicine gave me a complication in my stomach.
The medicine gave me a side effect
stomach pain.' — 'Complication' means a new disease or condition, not a direct reaction to a drug (use 'side effect').

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Difficulty is the most general term among these — it covers any situation that requires effort. A setback specifically means a delay or reversal in progress, hitting harder emotionally than a mere complication. Hitch is informal and describes a small, temporary problem that can be fixed quickly (e.g., 'a technical hitch with the booking system'). Obstacle implies something that actively blocks forward movement, possibly requiring a major change in direction. Unlike a complication, which makes a situation harder but may not stop it, an obstacle can bring progress to a halt. For instance: 'The visa delay was a complication, not a permanent obstacle.' 'The project suffered a setback when funding was cut.' 'There was a small hitch with the payment, but we solved it in minutes.'

difficulty ↗setback ↗hitch ↗obstacle ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • risk of complications
  • rate of complications
  • cause of complications

Adverbs

Phrases

  • no complications
  • without complication
  • lead to complications

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from Latin 'complicare', meaning 'to fold together' (com- 'together' + plicare 'to fold'). The idea is that when things are 'folded together', they become tangled and harder to separate — just like a situation becomes harder to deal with once extra problems are mixed in. The medical sense developed in the 1600s.