complexioncom‧plex‧ion /kəmˈplekʃən/ noun 
Drinking water is good for the complexion.pale/fair/ruddy etc complexion (=a pale, fair, red etc face)fair-complexioned/smooth-complexioned etc She was fair-complexioned with blonde hair.2[singular] the general character or nature of something: Crime has risen under governments of every political complexion.3put a different/new/fresh complexion on something to make a situation or event seem different: This document puts a different complexion on the matter.COLLOCATIONSadjectivespale (=lacking colour and often not healthy)· Her complexion was pale and spotty.fair (=light in colour)· People with fair complexions should use plenty of sunscreen.dark· Bright colours may suit you if your complexion is dark.clear (=without any spots)· Eating fresh fruit and vegetables will help keep your complexion clear.a fresh/healthy complexion (=healthy and clean)· a young man with a fresh complexiona flawless/perfect complexion (=perfect and with no marks or spots)· Foundation is meant to give the illusion of a flawless complexion.a tanned complexion (=brown because of the sun)· He looked distinguished with his greying hair and tanned complexion.a ruddy complexion (=reddish in colour – used mostly about men)· He had black hair and a ruddy complexion.a florid complexion literary (=red in an unpleasant or unhealthy way)· He had the florid complexion of a man who drinks too much.an olive complexion (=the skin colour that is typical of Greek, Italian, Turkish etc people)· These colours complement an olive complexion.a glowing/rosy/pink complexion (=healthy and pink – used about women or children)a sallow complexion (=slightly yellow)· A sallow complexion can be a sign of illness.a swarthy complexion literary (=dark)· She had never met anyone with his swarthy complexion.a bad complexion (=with spots or marks on it)a blotchy complexion (=with unpleasant red patches of colour in the skin)
WORD ORIGINcomplexion
Origin:
1300-1400 Old French, Medieval Latin complexio, from Latin, ‘combination’, from complexus; ➔ COMPLEX1EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Alice is lighter in complexion than her mother.
- Too much sun is bad for your complexion.
- His eyes were an astounding blue and his complexion was ruddy from a life spent mostly at sea.
- If their complexion was their most celebrated feature, then perhaps a long necklace of perfect pearls.
- She has collar-length curly blonde hair, brown eyes and a fair complexion.
- The difference goes far deeper than the political complexion of the government.
- The Trinity House records of the time describe him as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with black hair and dark complexion.
- To describe myself as Black in a situation where most people shared my complexion was absurd.
WORD SETS
Afro, nounaftershave, nounanti-perspirant, nounastringent, adjectiveastringent, nounatomizer, nounauburn, adjectivebackcomb, verbbald, adjectivebalding, adjectivebalm, nounbarber, nounbarbershop, nounbarrette, nounbath, nounbathe, verbbeard, nounbeautician, nounbeautify, verbbeauty contest, nounbeauty mark, nounbeauty parlor, nounbeauty queen, nounbeauty salon, nounbikini line, nounblackhead, nounblond, adjectiveblonde, adjectiveblonde, nounblow-dry, verbblusher, nounbob, verbbob, nounbody, nounbody spray, nounbrilliantine, nounBrylcreem, nounbubble bath, nounbun, nounbuzzcut, nouncleanser, nouncoiffure, nouncold cream, nouncollagen, nouncologne, nouncomb, nouncomb, verbcompact, nouncomplexion, nouncondition, verbconditioner, nouncornrows, nouncosmetic, adjectivecosmetics, nouncosmetic surgery, nouncotton bud, nouncotton wool, nouncream, noundental floss, noundeodorant, noundepilatory, noundimple, noundouble chin, noundowny, adjectiveeau de cologne, nounelectrolysis, nounemery board, nounessential oil, nouneyebrow pencil, nouneyeliner, nouneye shadow, nounface cream, nounfacelift, nounface pack, nounface powder, nounfacial, nounfacial scrub, nounfalse teeth, nounflannel, nounflattop, nounfoam, nounfoundation, nounfragrance, nounfringe, noungel, noungrey, adjectivegrey, verbgrip, nounhairbrush, nounhaircut, nounhairdo, nounhairdresser, nounhairdryer, nounhairgrip, nounhairline, nounhairnet, nounhairpiece, nounhairpin, nounhair slide, nounhairspray, nounhairstyle, nounhealth farm, nounhenna, nounhighlight, verbhirsute, adjectivehydrogen peroxide, nounkinky, adjectiveknot, nounkohl, nounlacquer, nounlacquer, verblank, adjectivelanolin, nounlather, verblayer, verbliner, nounlip gloss, nounliposuction, nounlipstick, nounloofah, nounlotion, nounlowlights, nounmade-up, adjectivemake-up, nounmanicure, nounmanicured, adjectivemascara, nounmedicated, adjectivemilky, adjectivemoisturize, verbmoisturizer, nounmousse, nounmoustache, nounmoustachioed, adjectivemousy, adjectivemouthwash, nounmudbath, nounmudpack, nounmusk, nounmustachioed, adjectivemutton chop whiskers, nounmyrrh, nounnailbrush, nounnail file, nounnail polish, nounnail scissors, nounnit, nounnose job, nounoil, nounointment, nounolive, nounpaint, verbpart, nounpart, verbparting, nounpate, nounpedicure, nounperfume, nounperfume, verbperfumery, nounperm, nounperm, verbpermanent, nounpermanent wave, nounperoxide, nounpigtail, nounplait, nounpomade, nounponytail, nounpowder, verbpowder puff, nounpreen, verbprimp, verbpumice, nounquiff, nounraven, adjectiverazor, nounrecede, verbred, adjectiveredhead, nounrhinoplasty, nounroll-on, nounrosewater, nounrouge, nounscent, nounshampoo, nounshampoo, verbshave, verbshave, nounshaven, adjectiveshaver, nounshaving brush, nounshaving cream, nounshort back and sides, nounshower cap, nounshower gel, nounsideburns, nounskincare, nounslide, nounsoap, verbspa, nounspiky, adjectivesplit ends, nounspray, nounstringy, adjectivestylist, nounsunbed, nounsunblock, nounsunburn, nounsun cream, nounsunglasses, nounsunlamp, nounsunscreen, nounsunshade, nounsuntan, nounsuntan lotion, nounsun-worshipper, nounswarthy, adjectiveswept-back, adjectivetalc, nountalcum powder, nountease, verbtester, nountoilet bag, nountoiletries, nountoilet water, nountone, verbtoner, nountooth, nountoothbrush, nountoothpaste, nountoothpick, nountooth powder, nountweezers, nounvanity case, nounVaseline, nounwar paint, nounwash, nounwave, nounwave, verbwavy, adjectivewax, verbwear, verbwetting solution, nounwhisker, nounwig, nounwrinkle, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives She has brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion. a woman with dark hair and a sallow complexion She has managed to maintain her youthful appearance.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
(=lacking colour and often not healthy)· Her complexion was pale and spotty.
(=light in colour)· People with fair complexions should use plenty of sunscreen.
· Bright colours may suit you if your complexion is dark.
(=without any spots)· Eating fresh fruit and vegetables will help keep your complexion clear.
(=healthy and clean)· a young man with a fresh complexion
(=perfect and with no marks or spots)· Foundation is meant to give the illusion of a flawless complexion.
(=brown because of the sun)· He looked distinguished with his greying hair and tanned complexion.
(=reddish in colour – used mostly about men)· He had black hair and a ruddy complexion.
literary (=red in an unpleasant or unhealthy way)· He had the florid complexion of a man who drinks too much.
(=the skin colour that is typical of Greek, Italian, Turkish etc people)· These colours complement an olive complexion.
(=healthy and pink – used about women or children)
(=slightly yellow)· A sallow complexion can be a sign of illness.
literary (=dark)· She had never met anyone with his swarthy complexion.
(=with spots or marks on it)
(=with unpleasant red patches of colour in the skin)
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES She has brown hair, hazel eyes and a fresh complexion. a woman with dark hair and a sallow complexion She has managed to maintain her youthful appearance.· The Trinity House records of the time describe him as 5 feet 8 inches tall, with black hair and dark complexion.· Born in the nearby Mena village, Furjani is a tall man whose dark complexion conveys his sub-Saharan ancestry.· Even Harvey - who had a dark complexion - had gone the colour of a boiled lobster.· This younger woman was very attractive with a dark complexion and thick black hair tied in a pony tail.
· To me, the fact that she hasn't been heard of again in seventeen years puts a different complexion on it.· Preston emerged after the interval with a new spring in their step, and the game took on a different complexion.· It may put a different complexion on things.
· Some of the mummies had long, dark hair and incredibly well preserved faces, even an almost fair complexion.· Ritu had been chosen on account of her suitable family background and her fair complexion.· A non-smoker and a teetotaller, Taylor was stockily built and of fair complexion.· She has collar-length curly blonde hair, brown eyes and a fair complexion.
· Simon's fresh, clear complexion was sallow.· To qualify for the competition entrants should have a clear, fresh complexion and be between three and nine years old.
· Her skin complemented her hair; she had an olive complexion which shone like burnished gold.· They were well-groomed, clean-shaven young men with olive complexions.· A thick mop of black hair over a man-boy's smooth olive complexion.
· The youthful face was inscrutable and unsmiling with a flawless pale bronze complexion.· About five foot ten, well dressed, pale white complexion, blue eyes.· Ada was a particularly striking young lady, with a pale complexion contrasted by very dark hair.· She has a pale complexion and hazel eyes.· But the pale complexion will be masked in the make-up room.
· The difference goes far deeper than the political complexion of the government.· The office has traditionally had a political complexion.· Both are fairly liberal and will leave the political complexion of the Lords roughly the same.· In addition each London borough has its own characteristics, its own social, political and cultural complexion.· As the political complexion of successive governments changed, so - frequently - did many of the top appointments in broadcasting.· The balance between additions and cuts will depend on the financial climate and the political complexion of the council.
· He was a small man with a shock of white hair, and a ruddy complexion from his liking for port.· He identified Davis as one of the people and described the other as a stocky woman with a ruddy complexion.· No emotion showed on Dempster's impassive face, only a slight pallor in his normally ruddy complexion.· Methuen was a good-looking man, tall and fair, with a ruddy complexion.
· He had a bony, tortured face, angry, slanting peacock-blue eyes, bronze curls and a sallow complexion.· The imam still bore the mark of that experience in his gaunt frame and sallow, jaundiced complexion.· He was a man in his late twenties, dark and thin with a sallow complexion.
VERB· To me, the fact that she hasn't been heard of again in seventeen years puts a different complexion on it.· This puts an entirely new complexion on things.· It may put a different complexion on things.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[countable] the natural colour or appearance of the skin on your face: - It may put a different complexion on things.
- To me, the fact that she hasn't been heard of again in seventeen years puts a different complexion on it.
- Tone down high colouring by using a green moisturiser or under-make-up base before applying foundation.
- She had a long oval face and an olive complexion.
- A thick mop of black hair over a man-boy's smooth olive complexion.
- Her eyes were dark and luminous and her faintly olive skin normally carried a dusting of colour, high on her cheekbones.
- Her skin complemented her hair; she had an olive complexion which shone like burnished gold.
- His olive skin seemed to glint in the soft light of the hallway; the flat behind him was almost totally dark.
- Of course, I thought, she has olive skin.
- The sooty eyes, the olive skin, the coarse black mop of the moustache gave little clue as to his origins.
- They were well-groomed, clean-shaven young men with olive complexions.
Drinking water is good for the complexion.pale/fair/ruddy etc complexion (=a pale, fair, red etc face)fair-complexioned/smooth-complexioned etc She was fair-complexioned with blonde hair.2[singular] the general character or nature of something: Crime has risen under governments of every political complexion.3put a different/new/fresh complexion on something to make a situation or event seem different: This document puts a different complexion on the matter.COLLOCATIONSadjectivespale (=lacking colour and often not healthy)· Her complexion was pale and spotty.fair (=light in colour)· People with fair complexions should use plenty of sunscreen.dark· Bright colours may suit you if your complexion is dark.clear (=without any spots)· Eating fresh fruit and vegetables will help keep your complexion clear.a fresh/healthy complexion (=healthy and clean)· a young man with a fresh complexiona flawless/perfect complexion (=perfect and with no marks or spots)· Foundation is meant to give the illusion of a flawless complexion.a tanned complexion (=brown because of the sun)· He looked distinguished with his greying hair and tanned complexion.a ruddy complexion (=reddish in colour – used mostly about men)· He had black hair and a ruddy complexion.a florid complexion literary (=red in an unpleasant or unhealthy way)· He had the florid complexion of a man who drinks too much.an olive complexion (=the skin colour that is typical of Greek, Italian, Turkish etc people)· These colours complement an olive complexion.a glowing/rosy/pink complexion (=healthy and pink – used about women or children)a sallow complexion (=slightly yellow)· A sallow complexion can be a sign of illness.a swarthy complexion literary (=dark)· She had never met anyone with his swarthy complexion.a bad complexion (=with spots or marks on it)a blotchy complexion (=with unpleasant red patches of colour in the skin)