sophomore

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   The second in a series, especially, the second of an artist’s albums or the second of four years in a high school (tenth grade) or university.

   The band’s sophomore album built upon the success of their debut release, catapulting them to megastardom.

2. 2
   noun

   A second-year undergraduate student in a college or university, or a second-year student in a four-year secondary school or high school.

   She was very mature for a sophomore and had several friends who were juniors or even seniors.

3. 3
   noun

   A three-year-old horse.

   The filly had looked promising as a sophomore, but concerns over her health had prompted the owner to pull her from the season’s early races.

4. 4
   adj

   used of the second year in United States high school or college

5. 5
   noun

   a second-year undergraduate

6. 6
   adj

   Sophomoric.

Etymology

From earlier sophumer, from the obsolete sophom, sophum (“sophism or dialectical exercise”), from Ancient Greek σόφισμα (sóphisma). Likely influenced by Ancient Greek σοφός (sophós, “wise”) + μωρός (mōrós, “fool”). Compare oxymoron (literally “sharp-dull”), a similar contradiction.