What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
elegant
Example
She looked elegant in her black dress and pearls. [elegant: adjective]
Example
The ballerina moved with elegant grace across the stage. [elegant: adverb]
Example
The hotel lobby had an elegant decor with marble floors and chandeliers. [elegant: noun]
sophisticated
Example
He was a sophisticated traveler who had visited many countries. [sophisticated: adjective]
Example
The software program had a sophisticated algorithm that could analyze large amounts of data. [sophisticated: adjective]
Example
The restaurant served sophisticated cuisine with exotic ingredients and elaborate presentation. [sophisticated: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Elegant is more commonly used than sophisticated in everyday language, especially in the context of fashion, design, and aesthetics. Sophisticated is more commonly used in technical or academic contexts, such as science, technology, or culture.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between elegant and sophisticated?
Sophisticated is generally considered more formal than elegant, as it implies a higher level of knowledge or refinement. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the tone and context of the sentence.
