sophomore
English
Etymology
From earlier sophumer, from the obsolete sophom (“sophism or dialectical exercise”), likely influenced by Ancient Greek σοφός (sophós, “wise”) + μωρός (mōrós, “fool”). Compare oxymoron (literally “sharp-dull”), a similar contradiction.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈsɒfəmɔː/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈsɑfmɔɹ/, /ˈsɒfmɔɹ/
- (Canada) IPA(key): /ˈsɒfəmɔɹ/
Adjective
sophomore (not comparable)
- (US) 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.
- Sophomoric.
Translations
second in a series
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Noun
sophomore (plural sophomores)
- (US) 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.
- (US, horse-racing) 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.
Derived terms
- softmore
- sophomoric
Related terms
- moron
- oxymoron
- sophy, -sophy
Translations
second-year student
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three year old horse
Further reading
Anagrams
- homospore