What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
complicated
Example
The instructions for assembling the furniture were complicated. [complicated: adjective]
Example
The situation is more complicated than we initially thought. [complicated: adjective]
difficult
Example
Learning a new language can be difficult. [difficult: adjective]
Example
It was difficult to find a parking spot in the crowded city. [difficult: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Difficult is more commonly used than complicated in everyday language. Difficult is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while complicated is less common and refers to situations that are highly complex.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between complicated and difficult?
Both complicated and difficult can be used in formal and informal contexts, but complicated may be more commonly used in technical or academic settings.
