sophisticate

American  

[suh-fis-ti-kit, -keyt, suh-fis-ti-keyt] / səˈfɪs tɪ kɪt, -ˌkeɪt, səˈfɪs tɪˌkeɪt /

noun

1. a sophisticated person.

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adjective

1. sophisticated.

verb (used with object)

sophisticated, sophisticating

1. to make less natural, simple, or ingenuous; make worldly-wise.

2. to alter; pervert.

   to sophisticate a meaning beyond recognition.

verb (used without object)

sophisticated, sophisticating

1. to use sophistry; quibble.

sophisticate British  

verb

1. (tr) to make (someone) less natural or innocent, as by education

2. to pervert or corrupt (an argument, etc) by sophistry

3. (tr) to make more complex or refined

4. rare to falsify (a text, etc) by alterations

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noun

1. a sophisticated person

Other Word Forms

• outsophisticate verb (used with object)
• sophistication noun
• sophisticator noun

Etymology

Origin of sophisticate

1350–1400; Middle English (adj. and v.) < Medieval Latin sophisticātus (past participle of sophisticāre to tamper with, disguise, trick with words), equivalent to Latin sophistic ( us ) ( sophistic ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Shen has nonetheless been able to direct money into sophisticated AI startups in China, in part because he raised U.S. money before Washington introduced the limits.

From The Wall Street Journal

But maybe your early stuff felt sophisticated to you.

From Los Angeles Times

After a shooting in L.A.’s Fashion District, detectives sifted through encrypted messages to track down a sophisticated but clumsy band of thieves.

From Los Angeles Times

Moving into the living area, there is a sophisticated gray fireplace, dark wooden flooring, and a large window that allows natural light to flood in.

From MarketWatch

"Behind these numbers lie investments in wearables, sophisticated video analysis tools, and Internet of Things devices," he added.

From Barron's

Related Words

• corrupt
• degrade
• pollute