convoluted
Syllables: con·vo·lut·edUK/ˌkɒnvəˈl(j)uːtɪd//ˌkɑnvəˈlutəd/
convoluted adjective: having numerous overlapping coils or folds; convolute. Also the simple past and past participle of convolute.
Adjective
convoluted (comparative more convoluted, superlative most convoluted)
- Having numerous overlapping coils or folds; convolute.
- [B]y the means of theſe hooks, and Spikes it [a tapeworm in the intestines] might faſten it ſelf, and ſo prevent it's too eaſy ejection out of the body. For it being ſo very long, and large too, and it's body in many places winding, and convoluted, the deſcent of the fæces upon all occaſions would...1683 April 19, Edward Tyson, “Lumbricus Latus, or a Discourse Read before the Royal Society of the Joynted Worm, […]”, in Philosophical Transactions. Giving Some Accompt of the Present Undertakings...
- The figure [of the constellation Anguilla] is that of the common eel in that convoluted ſtate in which it is uſually ſeen when in motion.1754, John Hill, “ANGUILLA, the Eel”, in Urania: Or, A Compleat View of the Heavens; Containing the Antient and Modern Astronomy, in the Form of a Dictionary: […], London: Printed for T. Gardner...
- Antonyms:
- unconvoluted
- Complex, complicated, or intricate.
- He gave a convoluted explanation that amounted to little more than a weak excuse for his absence.
- There is a convoluted cypher which designates the name and titles of the Sultan, contained in a single complicated figure, which is seen on the coins of the empire, and on all public edifices.1836, R[obert] Walsh, chapter IV, in A Residence at Constantinople, during a Period Including the Commencement, Progress, and Termination of the Greek and Turkish Revolutions: … Two Volumes, volume...
- Synonyms:
- complex, complexed, complicate, complicated, Gordian, involute, intricate, involutional, involved, knotty
- Antonyms:
- unconvoluted
Also used as
convoluted is also the simple past and past participle of convolute.
convoluted meaning in Indonesian and Persian
convoluted in Indonesian
- complex
- rumit
convoluted in Persian
- having numerous overlapping coils or folds
- پیچاپیچ pičâpič
- complex
- پیچیده pičide, در هم پیچیده dar ham pičide
Examples of convoluted in a sentence
- Petals five, generally reflected, the three exterior ovate, hollowed; the two interior longer and convoluted.1822, William P[aul] C[rillon] Barton, “Listera convallarioides”, in A Flora of North America. […], volume II, Philadelphia, Pa.: H[enry]...
- The great mass of cloud filling the head of the gulf had long red smears amongst its convoluted folds of grey and black, as of a floating mantle stained with blood.1904 January 29 – October 7, Joseph Conrad, chapter VII, in Nostromo: A Tale of the Seaboard, London; New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers...
- The large convoluted (and most porridge-like) portion on top is referred to as the cerebrum.1989, Roger Penrose, “Real Brains and Model Brains”, in The Emperor’s New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds and The Laws of Physics...
- Everyone is familiar with the Hollywood cliche of the 'mad scientist' crouching over convoluted glassware in which fuming green liquids bubble away.1999, “Make Me a Molecule”, in Nina Hall, editor, The Age of the Molecule, London: Royal Society of Chemistry, →ISBN, page 14:
Synonyms of convoluted
7 more synonymsFewer synonyms
Antonyms
Forms of convoluted
| comparative | more convoluted |
|---|---|
| superlative | most convoluted |
Origin of convoluted
From convolute + -ed.
Words formed from convoluted
Phrases with convoluted
Questions about convoluted
- What does convoluted mean?
- Convoluted means having numerous overlapping coils or folds; convolute.
- What is convoluted in Indonesian?
- Convoluted in Indonesian is rumit. See Convoluted meaning in Indonesian.
- How do you use convoluted in a sentence?
- Petals five, generally reflected, the three exterior ovate, hollowed; the two interior longer and convoluted.
- What part of speech is convoluted?
- Convoluted is an adjective.
- How do you pronounce convoluted?
- Convoluted is pronounced /ˌkɒnvəˈl(j)uːtɪd/ (UK).
Words near convoluted in the dictionary
Source and license
Adapted from Wiktionary: convoluted (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.
Last updated:
Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: En-us-convoluted.ogg.
Cite this entry: “convoluted.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/convoluted. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.
