Sophomore

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈsÉ’fÉ™mɔː/
• US IPA: /ˈsɑːf(É™)mɔːɹ/

Origin

From earlier sophumer, from the obsolete sophom ("sophism or dialectical exercise"), likely influenced by Ancient Greek σοφός (sophos, "wise") + μωρός (mōros, "fool"). Compare oxymoron, a similar contradiction.

Full definition of sophomore

Adjective

1. (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.

Noun

1. (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.
2. (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

Anagrams

• homospore