so ‧ phis ‧ ti ‧ cat ‧ ed /səˈfɪstəkeɪtəd, səˈfɪstɪkeɪtəd/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Medieval Latin ; Origin: past participle of sophisticare 'to deceive with words, hide the true nature of something' , from Latin sophisticus , from Greek , from sophistes ; ⇨ ↑ sophistry ]
1 . having a lot of experience of life, and good judgment about socially important things such as art, fashion etc:
a sophisticated, witty American
Clarissa’s hair was swept up into a sophisticated style.
2 . a sophisticated machine, system, method etc is very well designed and very advanced, and often works in a complicated way:
sophisticated software
a highly sophisticated weapons system
3 . having a lot of knowledge and experience of difficult or complicated subjects and therefore able to understand them well:
British voters have become much more sophisticated.
—sophistication /səˌfɪstəˈkeɪʃ ə n, səˌfɪstɪˈkeɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable] :
a New York nightclub that was the height of sophistication (=very fashionable and expensive)
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THESAURUS
▪ advanced using very modern technology and ideas:
technologically advanced nations
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Their equipment isn’t as advanced as ours.
▪ sophisticated very advanced, and working in a better but often more complicated way than other things:
highly sophisticated weapons
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As machines become more sophisticated, they become more likely to break down.
▪ high-tech /ˌhaɪ ˈtek◂/ using very advanced technology, especially electronic equipment and computers:
high-tech industries in Silicon Valley
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High-tech listening equipment was used to find survivors in the rubble.
▪ state-of-the-art using the newest and most advanced features, ideas, and materials that are available:
The football club has invested £40 million in state-of-the-art training facilities.
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The sound system is state-of-the-art.
▪ cutting-edge cutting-edge technology or research is the most advanced that there is at this time:
The system uses cutting-edge technology to identify and eliminate viruses.
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cutting-edge medical research