adjective so·phis·ti·cat·ed \sə-ˈfis-tə-ˌkā-təd\

Definition of sophisticated

  1. 1 :  deprived of native or original simplicity: such asa :  highly complicated or developed :  complex sophisticated electronic devicesb :  having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience a sophisticated lady

  2. 2 :  devoid of grossness: such asa :  finely experienced and aware a sophisticated columnistb :  intellectually appealing a sophisticated novel



Examples of sophisticated in a sentence

  1. Puck's mix of casual and sophisticated elements has become the most prevalent style of L.A. dining today. —Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 2009

  2. Sophisticated investors took Moody's and S&P's word for it, and it turned out that the agencies didn't know what they were doing. —Andy Serwer et al., Time, 29 Sept. 2008

  3. “These students want the amenities they grew up with at home—their own rooms, their own baths, along with some of the finer things in life. They're a more sophisticated consumer.” —Camille Sweeney, New York Times Real Estate Magazine, Spring 2007

  4. Sonar devices can locate an enemy's sophisticated, almost-silent diesel submarines by, ironically, making a deafening noise—sometimes above 230 decibels, as loud as a Saturn V rocket blasting off. —Dick Russell, Mother Jones, March & April 2006

  5. She was a sophisticated and well-traveled woman.

  6. a swank and sophisticated restaurant

  7. Her knitting technique is more sophisticated than mine.

Did You Know?

A sophisticated argument is thorough and well-worked-out. A satellite is a sophisticated piece of technology, complex and designed to accomplish difficult tasks. A sophisticated person, such as Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca, knows how to get around in the world. But sophistication isn't always admired. As you might guess, the word is closely related to sophistry (see above), and its original meanings weren't very positive, and still today many of us aren't sure we really like sophisticates.

Origin and Etymology of sophisticated

Medieval Latin sophisticatus

First Known Use: 1601

Synonym Discussion of sophisticated

sophisticated, worldly-wise, blasé mean experienced in the ways of the world. sophisticated often implies refinement, urbanity, cleverness, and cultivation guests at her salon were usually rich and sophisticated. worldly-wise suggests a close and practical knowledge of the affairs and manners of society and an inclination toward materialism a worldly-wise woman with a philosophy of personal independence. blasé implies a lack of responsiveness to common joys as a result of a real or affected surfeit of experience and cultivation blasé travelers who claimed to have been everywhere.

SOPHISTICATED Defined for English Language Learners



Definition of sophisticated for English Language Learners


  • : attractive to fashionable or sophisticated people

  • : highly developed and complex

SOPHISTICATED Defined for Kids


adjective so·phis·ti·cat·ed \sə-ˈfi-stə-ˌkā-təd\

Definition of sophisticated for Students

  1. 1 :  very complicated sophisticated electronic devices

  2. 2 :  having a lot of knowledge about the world especially through experience

  3. 3 :  appealing to a person's intelligence a sophisticated novel

Seen and Heard

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a brief usually trivial fact

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