sophisticated

American  

[suh-fis-ti-key-tid] / səˈfɪs tɪˌkeɪ tɪd /

adjective

1. (of a person, ideas, tastes, manners, etc.) altered by education, experience, etc., so as to be worldly-wise; not naive.

   a sophisticated young socialite;

   the sophisticated eye of an experienced journalist.

   Synonyms:

   cultivated, experienced, cosmopolitan, worldly

   Antonyms:

   naive

2. pleasing or satisfactory to the tastes of sophisticates, or people who are educated, cultured, and worldly-wise.

   sophisticated music.

3. deceptive; misleading.

4. complex or intricate, as a system, process, piece of machinery, or the like.

   a sophisticated electronic control system.

5. of, for, or reflecting educated taste, knowledgeable use, etc..

   Many Americans are drinking more sophisticated wines now.

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sophisticated British  

/ səˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. having refined or cultured tastes and habits

2. appealing to sophisticates

   a sophisticated restaurant

3. unduly refined or cultured

4. pretentiously or superficially wise

5. (of machines, methods, etc) complex and refined

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Other Word Forms

• hypersophisticated adjective
• hypersophisticatedly adverb
• oversophisticated adjective
• sophisticatedly adverb
• supersophisticated adjective
• ultrasophisticated adjective
• ultrasophisticatedly adverb

Etymology

Origin of sophisticated

First recorded in 1595–1605; sophisticate + -ed ²

Explanation

If something is sophisticated, it's complicated and intricate. The inner workings of a computer are sophisticated. Sophisticated can also refer to having good taste. Either way, sophisticated things are impressive. Sophisticated systems and objects are complex and tough to understand. High school math is a lot more sophisticated than grammar school math. Driving a car is more sophisticated than riding a bike. People are sophisticated if they have plenty of worldly experience and what is generally regarded as "good taste." Sometimes, that just means they have a lot of money and like things that are fancy. Going to a symphony is considered more sophisticated than going to a rock concert.

Example Sentences

Felix Salmon, Elizabeth Spiers, and Emily Peck discuss Emily’s piece about “dumb money” moving into more sophisticated trading markets—thanks to new crypto-driven platforms—and what’s motivating the trend.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2026

Producer/drummer Jamie xx is a festival mainstay and one of the most sophisticated, exultant DJ’s working.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

After previously pleading guilty partway through a trial, they appeared at Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing, with a judge describing them as "having leading roles in a sophisticated and successful" operation.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

Still, Egilinsky cautioned, these products are “designed for sophisticated investors only,” partly owing to the riskiness of the underlying products, but mostly because returns are amplified.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

Using the most sophisticated underwater metal detectors ever developed, the team uncovered solid indications of the presence of at least seven statues, buried deep under the seabed.

From "Shipwrecked!" by Martin W. Sandler

Related Words

• complicated
• delicate
• intricate
• modern
• refined
• subtle