English · Word Candidate

sophomore

/ˈsɒf.ə.mɔː/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: sophomores

Sense 1

Meaning · English

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.

AdjectiveRegister: US

The band’s sophomore album built upon the success of their debut release, catapulting them to megastardom.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Sophomoric.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A second-year undergraduate student in a college or university, or a second-year student in a four-year secondary school or high school.

NounRegister: US

She was very mature for a sophomore and had several friends who were juniors or even seniors.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

A three-year-old horse.

NounRegister: US

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.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “sophomore” mean?

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.

Is “sophomore” formal or informal?

sophomore is generally US.