complexion

UK: /kəmˈplɛkʃ^ən/ US: /kəmˈplɛkʃən/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

com•plex•ion /kəmˈplɛkʃən/   n. [countable]

1. the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, esp. of the face.
2. appearance;
   general or overall character:
   This testimony puts a different complexion on things.
3. viewpoint, attitude, or belief:
   one's political complexion.

com•plex•ion•al, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

complexion / 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. the temperament of a person
4. the temperature and general appearance of the body

Etymology: 14th Century: from medical Latin complexiō one's bodily characteristics, from Latin: a combination, from complectī to embrace; see complex

comˈplexional adjective

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

com′plex i′on, [Chem.]

1. Chemistry a charged complex. Cf. complex (def. 10).

com•plex•ion  (kəm plek′shən), n. 

1. the natural color, texture, and appearance of the skin, esp. of the face:
   a clear, smooth, rosy complexion.
2. appearance;
   aspect;
   character:
   His confession put a different complexion on things.
3. viewpoint, attitude, or conviction:
   one's political complexion.
4. Physiology (in old physiology) constitution or nature of body and mind, regarded as the result of certain combined qualities.
5. [Obs.] nature;
   disposition;
   temperament.

Also, complection. 

• Medieval Latin complexiōn- (stem of complexiō) constitution, temperament, Latin: combination, group, literally, the act of embracing. See complex, -ion
• Middle English 1300–50

com•plex′ion•al, adj. 
com•plex′ion•al•ly, adv.