In the present manuscript, we have reported the synthesis, structural, optical, AC conductivity and dielectric studies of carbon dot-zinc oxide (CDZO) nanocomplexes. CDZO nanocomplexes were synthesized by the wet chemical method. The refinement of X-ray powder diffraction data reveals that the sample possesses hexagonal structure of ZnO. The low intensity diffraction peaks corresponding to carbon come to existence, it is suggested that phase segregation has occurred in the CDZO nanoparticles. The strong absorption band observed in the UV region for the prepared samples can be attributed to the band edge absorption. Dielectric property and AC conductivity have been studied as a function of frequency (100[Formula: see text]Hz and 1[Formula: see text]kHz) of the applied AC signal in the temperature range 30[Formula: see text]C to 150[Formula: see text]C. The result showed that AC conductivity increases with increase of temperature. Dielectric loss and DC conductivity increase with increase of temperature.