What does "sophisticated" mean?

1. (worldly and experienced) having a lot of experience of the world and knowing about culture, fashion, and social situations. 2. (complex and advanced) highly developed and complex, especially when talking about technology or systems. 3. (intellectually appealing) showing a high level of skill or thought; appealing to people with good taste.

sophisticated

adj.

US //səˈfɪstəˌkeɪtɪd// UK //səfˈɪstɪkˌeɪtɪd// so·phis·ti·cat·ed

1 worldly and experienced (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

having a lot of experience of the world and knowing about culture, fashion, and social situations.

having obtained worldly experience and lacking naiveté; possessing refined tastes and social grace.

Example

She has become much more sophisticated since she moved to the city.

Example

The audience was composed of sophisticated travellers who were unimpressed by the standard tourist attractions.
- naive
- unsophisticated
2 complex and advanced (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

highly developed and complex, especially when talking about technology or systems.

highly complex or developed in design, technique, or character; often applied to technology or intellectual arguments.

Example

The new security system uses sophisticated software to recognise faces.

Example

Modern hackers use increasingly sophisticated methods to bypass even the most robust corporate firewalls.
- simple
- primitive

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3 intellectually appealing (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal

showing a high level of skill or thought; appealing to people with good taste.

appealing to the tastes of an intellectual or cultured person; refined and elegant in style.

Example

The film was praised for its sophisticated humour and clever writing.

Example

The critic argued that the novel's sophisticated narrative structure was its greatest strength, though it might alienate casual readers.
- crude
- lowbrow

Origin

First English usage circa 1601. From Medieval Latin sophisticatus.