When you refer to someone's complexion, you are referring to the natural colour or condition of the skin on their face.
She had short brown hair and a pale complexion.
...those with acne or oily complexions.
...her flawless complexion.
Synonyms: skin, colour, colouring, hue More Synonyms of complexion
2. countable noun
The complexion of something is its general nature or character.
[formal]
Every time the political complexion of the government changed, so did the defencepolicy.
But surely this puts a different complexion on things.
Synonyms: nature, character, make-up, cast More Synonyms of complexion
More Synonyms of complexion
complexion in British English
(kəmˈplɛkʃən)
noun
1.
the colour and general appearance of a person's skin, esp of the face
2.
aspect, character, or nature
the general complexion of a nation's finances
3. obsolete
a.
the temperament of a person
b.
the temperature and general appearance of the body
Derived forms
complexional (comˈplexional)
adjective
Word origin
C14: from medical Latin complexiō one's bodily characteristics, from Latin: a combination, from complectī to embrace; see complex
complexion in American English
(kəmˈplɛkʃən)
noun
1.
a. Obsolete
the combination of the qualities of cold, heat, dryness, and moisture, or of the four humors, in certain proportions believed to determine the temperament and constitution of the body
b. Obsolete
the temperament or constitution of the body
2.
the color, texture, and general appearance of the skin, esp. of the face
3.
general appearance or nature; character; aspect
Derived forms
complexional (comˈplexional)
adjective
Word origin
ME complexioun < OFr complexion, combination of humors, hence temperament < L complexio, combination < complexus: see complex
COBUILD Collocations
complexion
pale complexion
Examples of 'complexion' in a sentence
complexion
The problem is much bigger than the identity of the minister or the political complexion of the government.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
After all, isn't it the key to a flawless complexion?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The present case was one of wholly different complexion.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Can she really be as flawless as her complexion?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Will it go with his skin complexion?
The Sun (2012)
If that had gone in the game would have taken on a different complexion.
The Sun (2009)
It brightens your complexion and gives skin a youthful glow.
The Sun (2013)
Look at your complexion and the colour of your teeth and eyes to determine which shade suits you best.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
But the most important certainty is that the next society and economy will have a totally different social complexion.
Peter F. Drucker THE ESSENTIAL DRUCKER (2001)
You favour your father, and white always sets off a brown complexion.
Elizabeth Gaskell Wives and Daughters (1864)
He was of medium height, stocky with a rather florid complexion and powdered hair.
Paula Byrne PERDITA: The Life of Mary Robinson (2004)
She had striking looks, a flawless complexion and a slender frame throughout her life.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It sinks in skin - good for oily complexions.
The Sun (2016)
Certainly, being the team expected to win puts a totally different complexion on the mindset.
The Sun (2010)
Perhaps this season could have had a different complexion for Arsenal had their pivotal midfielders here been present for longer periods.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Pale complexions suit certain colours.
The Sun (2012)
Things have a wholly different complexion to this time last year, because at that point the recovery had not taken hold.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Look your best, pick softer colours because of your pale complexion and young skin and light up the street with a megawatt smile.
The Sun (2012)
FACE Keep your complexion pale and interesting.
The Sun (2010)
But to give yourself the best chance of retaining a fresh and flawless complexion as you age, you need to look after your skin.
The Sun (2009)
So for a flawless complexion that stays put, they're the only way to go.
The Sun (2012)
It keeps my complexion flawless - it's not a big deal and takes five minutes.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It boosts the complexion, leaving skin plumped, firm and glowing.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
A flawless complexion is the best backdrop for all this colour, so use a good foundation rather than tinted moisturiser.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She had a fine complexion, chestnut brown hair and intelligent, lively eyes beneath prominent lids and fine arched brows.
Jane Dunn ELIZABETH AND MARY: Cousins, Rivals, Queens (2003)
This distribution of patronage is an important component in the president's political armoury, since by his choices he determines the political complexion of the government.
Wright, Vincent The Government and Politics of France (1989)
In other languages
complexion
British English: complexion /kəmˈplɛkʃən/ NOUN
Your complexion is the natural colour or condition of the skin on your face.
...a pale complexion.
American English: complexion
Arabic: بَشَرَة
Brazilian Portuguese: cor da pele
Chinese: 面色
Croatian: put
Czech: barva pleti
Danish: teint
Dutch: huidskleur
European Spanish: tez
Finnish: ihonväri
French: teint couleur de peau
German: Teint
Greek: απόχρωση επιδερμίδας
Italian: carnagione
Japanese: 顔色
Korean: 안색
Norwegian: ansiktsfarge
Polish: cera
European Portuguese: tez
Romanian: ten
Russian: цвет лица
Latin American Spanish: tez
Swedish: hy
Thai: ผิว
Turkish: ten
Ukrainian: колір обличчя
Vietnamese: nước da
Chinese translation of 'complexion'
complexion
(kəmˈplɛkʃən)
n(c)
(= colouring) 面色 (miànsè) (种(種), zhǒng)
(frm)[of event etc]性质(質) (xìngzhì)
1 (noun)
Definition
the colour and general appearance of the skin of a person's face
She had short brown hair and a pale complexion.
Synonyms
skin
His skin is clear and smooth.
colour
His colour and ethnic origins are not the issue here.
colouring
hue
a comeback of such theatrical hue
skin tone
pigmentation
2 (noun)
Definition
character or nature
The political complexion of the government has changed.
Synonyms
nature
The protests had been non-political in nature.
character
There is a side to his character which you haven't seen yet.
make-up
He became convinced that there was some fatal flaw in his make-up.
cast
Hers was an essentially optimistic cast of mind.
stamp
Monty is a man of a very different stamp.
disposition
his friendly and cheerful disposition
3 (noun)
This latest development puts a different complexion on things.
Synonyms
perspective
Moving to the countryside gave me a new perspective on life.
look
They've opted for a rustic look in the kitchen.
light
He has worked hard to portray New York in a better light.
appearance
He had the appearance of a college student.
aspect
The snowy tree assumed a lifeless aspect.
angle
He was considering the idea from all angles.
slant
They give a slant to every single news item that's put on the air.