Words / C1

s-uh-FIST-ik-ayt-id/səˈfɪstɪkeɪtɪd/

Sophisticated means complex and advanced, or socially polished: a sophisticated model, a sophisticated audience. Complex is the plain cousin; fancy is everyday and can be empty. Sophistry is dishonest clever argument — related root, bad sense. Do not call a glittery slide sophisticated if the method is crude.

Meaning

Complex and advanced; also socially cultured or worldly.

Examples

• “The model looks sophisticated; the data behind it are thin.”
• “The dashboard looked sophisticated; the underlying join was still a spreadsheet.”
• “A sophisticated palate is culture; a sophisticated algorithm should still be explainable.”

Good to know

Advanced / socially polished. Plain: complex. Empty everyday: fancy. Bad cousin: sophistry (clever but dishonest argument).

Near in meaning

complex

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