sophomore

1 of 2

noun

soph·​o·​more ˈsäf-ˌmȯr How to pronounce sophomore (audio)
also ˈsȯf-
or ˈsä-fə-
or ˈsȯ-fə-
Synonyms of sophomorenext
: a student in the second year at college or a 4-year secondary school

sophomore

2 of 2

adjective

: being or associated with the second in a series
their sophomore album

Examples of sophomore in a Sentence

Noun She's a sophomore in high school.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Robichaud had agreed to tutor Bounds, then a sophomore, in math. — Lucy Glynn, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 June 2026 The challenge for him as a sophomore is to be a more efficient player, after shooting just 34% from the field and 21% from three-point range. — Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Adjective
For me, one of his clips came up in a group chat once sophomore year of high school and I, as well as many of my peers, saw him as an outcast. — Eli Thompson, Rolling Stone, 8 Nov. 2025 The Eagles are cut from a different cloth, with one of the state’s top recruits in sophomore Christian Vargas returning under center. — Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sophomore

Word History

Etymology

Noun

earlier sophy mor, soph-mor, probably from sophom, sophem, sophyme (early Modern English variants of sophism) + -or entry 1; later reanalyzed as Greek sophós "clever, wise" + -o- + mōrós "foolish, stupid"

First Known Use

Noun

1688, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sophomore was in 1688

Rhymes for sophomore

See All Rhymes for sophomore

Browse Nearby Words

Sophocles
sophomore
sophomoric
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sophomore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sophomore. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sophomore

noun
soph·​o·​more
ˈsäf-ˌmō(ə)r, 
-ˌmȯ(ə)r;
ˈsäf-ᵊm-ˌō(ə)r, 
-ˌȯ(ə)r
: a student in his or her second year at a 4-year high school or college

More from Merriam-Webster on sophomore

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sophomore

Nglish: Translation of sophomore for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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