sophisticated

adjective

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

1

: deprived of native or original simplicity: such as

a

: highly complicated or developed : complex

sophisticated electronic devices

b

: having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience

a sophisticated lady

2

: devoid of grossness: such as

a

: finely experienced and aware

a sophisticated columnist

b

: intellectually appealing

a sophisticated novel

sophisticatedly adverb

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.

Synonyms

• cosmopolitan
• smart
• worldly
• worldly-wise

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of sophisticated in a Sentence

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

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

"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

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

She was a sophisticated and well-traveled woman.

a swank and sophisticated restaurant

Her knitting technique is more sophisticated than mine.

Recent Examples on the Web

As each year passes, the complexities of cybersecurity and the more sophisticated threats grow. —Chuck Brooks, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Changing the light's polarization characteristics in this manner mimics things found in nature, like the ridiculously sophisticated and specialized vision of the mantis shrimp. —New Atlas, 24 Dec. 2024

Testimony from polyglots like her has invited a more sophisticated take on Whorf’s ideas. —Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024

Also included in the complaint are allegations that Baldoni hired crisis PR operatives to wage a sophisticated online smear campaign against Lively as the movie was being released last summer. —Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin sophisticatus

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sophisticated

adjective

so·​phis·​ti·​cat·​ed sə-ˈfis-tə-ˌkāt-əd 

1

: deprived of native or original simplicity: such as

a

: very complicated : complex

sophisticated instruments

b

: worldly-wise, knowing

a sophisticated young graduate

2

a

: finely experienced and aware

a sophisticated observer

b

: appealing to one's intelligence

a sophisticated novel

sophisticatedly adverb