adj
sophisticated
adj
1
Having a lot of worldly experience and refined taste; cultured and knowledgeable.
"She had a sophisticated palate after years of travel."
"He came across as sophisticated and well-read at the dinner party."
2
Highly developed or complex, especially describing technology or systems.
"The attackers used a sophisticated piece of malware."
How to Use Sophisticated
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither refined and worldly (about people/taste) or advanced and complex (about technology).
Common pairings
sophisticated technology
sophisticated taste
a sophisticated attack
Word Forms
more sophisticated comparative, most sophisticated superlative
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She had a _____ palate after years of travel.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin sophisticatus. The word originally meant "adulterated" or "not genuine" and only later came to mean "refined" or "worldly."