Meanings
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Thesaurus
Word family
Derived forms
hypersophisticatedoversophisticatedpseudo-sophisticatedsophisti-popsophisticatedlysophisticatednesssupersophisticatedultrasophisticatedunsophisticated
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See allSimplified etymology
Sophisticated ultimately derives from Greek sophos “wise.” In the early 17th century it meant “corrupted” or “adulterated,” especially of food and drink; it later suggested artificiality or a lack of natural simplicity before developing the favorable modern senses “worldly-wise,” “cultured,” and “discriminating.”
Etymology
First English usage circa 1601. From Medieval Latin sophisticatus.