How to pronounce sophisticate
Say it like suh-FIS-tih-kayt. Sophisticate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FIS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sophisticate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suh
- FIS
- tih
- kayt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sophisticate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- FISSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- tihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kaytKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of sophisticate
American and British speakers say sophisticate in essentially the same way: /səˈfɪstɪkeɪt/ in the US and /səˈfɪstɪkeɪt/ in the UK.
British respelling: suh-FIS-tih-kayt.
What does sophisticate mean?
- A person who is sophisticated (“experienced in the ways of the world, that is, cosmopolitan or worldly-wise”), or who has sophisticated tastes.
- To make (something) less innocent or natural; to artificialize.
- To make (something) more sophisticated (“complex, developed, or refined”); to develop, to refine.
- To make (oneself or someone) more sophisticated (“experienced in the ways of the world, that is, cosmopolitan or worldly-wise”); to cosmopolitanize.
- Of a person: experienced in the ways of the world; cosmopolitan, worldly-wise.
- Of art or other things: appealing to the tastes of an intellectual or sophisticated (sense 1.1) person; cerebral; also, cultured, elegant, refined.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying sophisticate
How do you pronounce sophisticate?
Say suh-FIS-tih-kayt. The American pronunciation is /səˈfɪstɪkeɪt/. In British English it is /səˈfɪstɪkeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sophisticate?
Sophisticate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FIS). Broken into parts: suh · FIS · tih · kayt.
Do Americans and Brits say sophisticate the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səˈfɪstɪkeɪt/ and the British form is /səˈfɪstɪkeɪt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.