Sophomore
As a Noun
- A student in their second year of high school or college.
- A person with some experience in a field but not yet an expert.
As an Adjective
- Relating to the second year of an experience or endeavor (e.g., sophomore season, sophomore album).
- Sometimes implies a mix of confidence and inexperience.
Word History
The word sophomore comes from the Greek words sophos (wise) and moros (foolish). It originally referred to someone who had learned enough to be confident but still lacked true wisdom—hence the idea of a “wise fool.” Over time, it became the standard term for second-year students, especially in American education.
Examples
- She’s a sophomore at Harvard, studying biology.
- His sophomore novel was even better than his first.
- The quarterback showed great improvement in his sophomore season.
- As a sophomore in the company, he’s still learning the ropes.
Synonyms
Second-year student, intermediate, developing
Related Words
Freshman, junior, senior, novice
Antonyms
Freshman, beginner, rookie
