Multifaceted means having many different aspects, qualities, or sides. Think of a diamond: when you turn it in the light, you see dozens of flat surfaces called facets, each catching the light differently. Something multifaceted works the same way, revealing different features depending on how you look at it.

A person can be multifaceted. Your friend might be a talented violinist, a skilled soccer player, and also great at computer programming. She has multiple talents and interests that combine to make her who she is. A multifaceted scientist might study nanotechnology but also write poetry and coach Little League on weekends.

Problems can be multifaceted too. When your school tries to reduce waste, it's not as simple as just adding recycling bins. The problem has many facets: what happens to the recycling afterward, how to get everyone to participate, whether it saves money, and what to do about food waste. Each facet needs attention.

The opposite of multifaceted is one-dimensional or simple. A multifaceted book offers adventure, humor, interesting characters, and ideas that make you think. A multifaceted solution considers many angles instead of just one. When something is truly multifaceted, you keep discovering new details the more closely you examine it.