sophisticated

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

Definition of sophisticated

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

See sophisticated defined for English-language learners

See sophisticated defined for kids

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 of sophisticated from the Web

For the most sophisticated iteration of borrowed-from-the-bedroom styling, a new wave of silky suiting has emerged, combining two of our favorite trends from 2017.

— Glamour, "The Daytime PJ's and Suiting Trends Have Become One, and We're Here For It," 18 Aug. 2017
French chefs are among the most sophisticated in the world.

— daniel boulud, ELLE Decor, "3 Timeless French Recipes From France's Most Admired Chefs," 9 Aug. 2017
These IMUs are sophisticated versions of the widgets that smartphones and tablet computers use to work out which way up the screen display should be.

— The Economist, "Amusement parksVirtual reality gives old fairground rides new purpose," 13 July 2017
Tamez said that delivering something heavy such as wire or bolt cutters via drone would require a sophisticated plan and a powerful machine.

— meg kinnard, chicagotribune.com, "Escaped South Carolina inmate may have used wire cutters delivered by drone," 7 July 2017
As medical procedures become more sophisticated and technical, doctors often subspecialize to focus on a particular organ or area: prostate surgery, pancreatic surgery, pelvic floor surgery, for example.

— trihealth, Cincinnati.com, "Know these 5 things before surgery," 3 July 2017
The macaronis were members of a subculture of British fops in the 1760s and 1770s, who took their name from the Italian ingredient that would have seemed exotic and sophisticated in England at the time.

— david segal, New York Times, "That Diss Song Known as ‘Yankee Doodle’," 1 July 2017
The search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) has been going for more than 50 years, with ever more sophisticated detection systems and creative ideas about how E.T. might come calling.

— sarah scoles, Discover Magazine, "Everything Worth Knowing About ... Alien Contact," 26 June 2017
Also thinking about the consumer first -- there are sophisticated food eaters and wine drinkers everywhere now, in cities big and small.

— kelly poe, AL.com, "Milo's Famous Tea launches Peach Tea," 23 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sophisticated.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1601

See Words from the same year

sophisticated Synonyms

Synonyms

cosmopolitan, smart, worldly–wise, worldly

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

sophisticated

adjective

Definition of sophisticated for English Language Learners

: having or showing a lot of experience and knowledge about the world and about culture, art, literature, etc.
: attractive to fashionable or sophisticated people
: highly developed and complex