sophistication

[ suh-fis-ti-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. sophisticated sophisticated character, ideas, tastes, or ways as the result of education, worldly experience, etc.:

   the sophistication of the wealthy.

2. change from the natural character or simplicity, or the resulting condition.
3. complexity, as in design or organization.
4. impairment or debasement, as of purity or genuineness.
5. the use of sophistry; a sophism, quibble, or fallacious argument.

Other Words From

• anti·so·phisti·cation noun
• hyper·so·phisti·cation noun
• over·so·phisti·cation noun
• self-so·phisti·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sophistication¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin sophisticātiōn-, stem of sophisticātiō; equivalent to sophisticate + -ion

Example Sentences

“The way he tunes his drums, the projection he gets out of his drums, the way he interacts with musicians onstage: it’s a rare combination of street education, high sophistication and soul.”

From Los Angeles Times

Dining out was gaining traction as a leisure activity, and people were increasingly open to new experiences as a sign of status and sophistication.

From Salon

They told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Whilst DDoS attacks are relatively low in sophistication and impact, they can cause disruption by preventing legitimate users from accessing online services."

From BBC

Carson fans love to remind you that he was, for all his sleek sophistication, a Nebraska boy at heart; that he was an accomplished magician and musician; that he almost didn’t take the “Tonight Show” gig, but after he did, everyone who was anyone eventually found themselves on the sofa beside his desk.

From Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles had recently passed Chicago to become America’s second city, but it still felt far behind with its puny skyline, suburban sprawl and relative lack of cultural sophistication.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• composure
• elegance
• finesse
• poise
• refinement
• tact
• worldliness