Meaning & use
sophomores
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“sophomores” is a form of “sophomore”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounpluralAmerican
Students in their second year at a US high school, college, or university.
Grammar: The singular is 'sophomore'. Use 'a sophomore' for one student.
Patterns
- sophomores at a school
- a class of sophomores
- sophomore year
The sophomores are planning a fundraiser for the library.
She made many friends during her sophomore year.
Most sophomores live in the dorms on campus.
Word forms
| singular | sophomore |
|---|
Common combinations
- sophomore year
- He studied abroad during his sophomore year.
- sophomore class
- The sophomore class took a field trip to the museum.
- high school sophomore
- My cousin is a high school sophomore.
- college sophomore
- As a college sophomore, she changed her major.
Synonyms and how they differ
- second-year student
- The usual term in British English and a clear alternative in any variety.
Word family
- sophomoric adjective
- Behaving in a silly, immature way, like some younger students.
Commonly confused: sophomores or freshman? sophomores or junior?
sophomores vs freshman
A first-year student, not a second-year one.
sophomores vs junior
A third-year student, one year above a sophomore.
Practice
In the US, a student in the second year of high school is called a ___.
Choose one answer.
A sophomore is a second-year student. A freshman is in the first year, a junior in the third, and a senior in the fourth.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sophomores”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.