unsophisticated

American  

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

adjective

1. not sophisticated; sophisticated; simple; artless.

   Synonyms:

   inexperienced, naive, ingenuous

2. without complexity or refinements.

   a relatively unsophisticated mechanism.

3. unadulterated; pure; genuine.

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unsophisticated British  

/ ˌʌnsəˈfɪstɪˌkeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. lacking experience or worldly wisdom

2. marked by a lack of refinement or complexity

   an unsophisticated machine

3. unadulterated or genuine

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Other Word Forms

• unsophisticatedly adverb
• unsophisticatedness noun
• unsophistication noun

Etymology

Origin of unsophisticated

First recorded in 1620–30; un- ¹ + sophisticated

Example Sentences

I was unsophisticated and tried to use nosiness only when it counted the most.

From Literature

Bets were so heavily in favor of the Seahawks that he started putting money down on the Patriots, hoping to build an edge over unsophisticated bettors.

From The Wall Street Journal

I didn’t realize it at the time, but there was also insecurity there: An American embarrassed by a rough, unsophisticated America, envious of Europe’s aristocratic polish.

From The Wall Street Journal

Critics of the plan argue that the guardrails that limit access to private markets are necessary to protect unsophisticated investors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nobody wants to be unsophisticated, or a prude.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• guileless
• inexperienced
• naive
• straightforward
• uninvolved